Curved rectangular hot-water bottle, France, 1751-1810
Made of pewter, an alloy of tin and lead, this hot-water bottle is engraved with birds and plants and has a curved shape to fit close against the body.
Object number:
A89203
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: hot-water bottle
A container usually made of rubber, filled with hot water especially to warm a bed.Containers for warmth in bed were in use as early as the 16th century. The earliest versions contained hot coals from the dying embers of the fire, and these bed warmers were used to warm the bed before getting into it. Very soon after this, containers with hot water became used. Use of hot water bottles declined in the 20th century as homes became better heated, and recently due to the increase in use of electric blankets.