Mal's Memories (From Penarth Times)

Mal's Memories

DO YOU remember chamber pots?

It might seem a somewhat indelicate topic, but, of course, only a half century ago they were in common use. When I was growing up on the farm there was no inside toilet, and it was simply not practical to walk 40 yards to the outside loo at the bottom of the garden in the middle of a freezing night in winter.

Even new houses had outside toilets in those days. The modern indoor flush toilet is a comparatively recent luxury, although today's young families could not possibly envisage life without it.

Anyway, the chamber pot was kept under the bed in case it was needed during the night, or when someone was ill and confined to the bedroom. They were used for hundreds of years until the advent of modern lavatories finally made them redundant. You might think then that they are mundane, utilitarian household items, long gone and totally unmourned. But you would be quite wrong.

Many bore messages, such as an early, earthenware chamber pot from London, dated 1651, which says: "Break me not I pray in your haste, For I to none will give distaste." Some were rather more rude.

A German, Manfred Klauda has collected 9,400 chamber pots, the earliest dating from the 16th century, and they are on show at a museum in Munich.

They come in various sizes, colours and designs and can be really attractive. Which is why they have become quite sought after in auction rooms and can now be found doubling as plant pots, vases or simply as ornaments.

If you fancy one for your very own there are dozens for sale on eBay.

By Malcolm Davies

Malcolm Davies is a former editor of the Penarth Times. Mal's Memories now appear on the Penarth Times web site www.thisispenarth.co.uk and you can also find the early columns on Mal's site at www.communigate.co.uk/wales/mdav24/index.phtml