Child's glazed earthenware chamberpot or vomit cup made in England by Davenport & Co about 1820

Child's chamber pot or vomit cup, of glazed blue and white transfer-printed earthenware. The pot is of a bulbous cup shape, with a looped handle at the side, and recessed circular base. The roll-shaped rim is transfer printed with a band of flowers, scrolls and foliage with a geometric print at the outer edge, and the handle with a spray of flowers. The front and back are transfer printed with the 'Muleteer' pattern: a man riding a mule through a picturesque river landscape with a castle on a rocky promontory in the background, and trees and church-like buildings by a cascade in the foreground.

Bought at Olympia Antiques Fair.

Small vessels of this type were also sometimes used as vomit cups.

Reason For Production: Retail

Until modern ideas about food developed in the 1920s, many children had a very monotonous diet. This was high in carbohydrates and low in fresh fruit and meat, and sometimes caused constipation, which was promptly treated with a laxative. Popular naturally occurring laxatives for children and adults were castor oil, prunes, senna and rhubarb. Chemical potions included brimstone (sulphur) mixed with treacle, and calomel, a compound of mercury and chloride.

Ceramic pots like this one, with a moulded base so that it stands securely, are for use by themselves and were not part of a commode.

B.837-1993