Vintage chamber pots are portable, bowl-shaped vessels used as toilets before indoor plumbing, typically made from glazed ceramic, porcelain, or metal (like tin or pewter), often featuring decorative elements like floral patterns or ornate designs for wealthier homes, and characterized by handles and lids, serving as essential bedside conveniences in the 18th-19th centuries, often stored in "commode" cabinets or under beds.

Key Characteristics

Materials: Common materials include earthenware (redware), glazed ceramic, porcelain, and metal (pewter, tin).

Design: Ranged from simple, utilitarian shapes to highly decorative items with hand-painted scenes, intricate glazes, or patterns.

Features: Usually had a wide opening, often with a handle and a fitted lid to conceal contents and minimize odor.

Function: Served as a nighttime toilet, eliminating the need to go outside to an outhouse in cold or dark conditions.

Storage: Kept under beds, in washstands, or within special cabinets called "commode" or "pot de chambre".

Evolution: As plumbing improved, they became obsolete but are now prized collectibles, reflecting historical ingenuity and domestic life.

Types & Variations

Bourdaloue: A distinct, oblong ceramic pot for women, allowing them to urinate while standing or crouching, popular in 18th-century France.

Close Stool: A more elaborate version, often a chair with a hidden compartment for the pot, offering greater privacy.

Usage & Maintenance: People often used crocheted bands around the rim for comfort and to quiet noise. Morning cleanup involved emptying into privies, cesspits, or outhouses, and cleaning with water, snow, or leaves.