Child's Chamber Pot
ca. 1820 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
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.
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.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Earthenware, glazed and transfer-printed |
Brief description | Child's glazed earthenware chamberpot or vomit cup made in England by Davenport & Co about 1820 |
Physical description | 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. |
Dimensions |
|
Production type | Mass produced |
Marks and inscriptions | DAVENPORT (Maker's identification; base; printing) |
Object history | Bought at Olympia Antiques Fair. |
Production | Small vessels of this type were also sometimes used as vomit cups. Reason For Production: Retail |
Subject depicted | |
Summary | 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. |
Collection | |
Accession number | B.837-1993 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | April 19, 2000 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest