Enamelled chamber pot, United Kingdom, 1901-1960
Every home or hospital bed should have one! Chamber pots were used in homes and hospitals. They were placed under the bed and were convenient to use at night – who wouldn’t want to avoid a chilly trip to the toilet outside in the yard? Many houses in the United Kingdom did not have toilets or bath-rooms until after the Second World War. Mass produced enamelled ware was inexpensive and relatively hard wearing and more suitable for hospital use than ceramic pots. Enamelled chamber pots are also easy to wash out after use.
Object number:
1985-753
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: hygiene
The science of health and how to maintain it. A condition or practice which promotes good health. The definition varies widely and differs across cultures.
Glossary: chamber pot
Bowl-shaped container with a handle, used as a urinal at night. Chamber pots remained in common use until the 1900s when inside water closets replaced them. They are still used in countries where indoor plumbing is rare.