In all of the old fashioned shave dens, can't identify one item...

[mascarasnake21]

This was in the Sweeney Todd film as well. What I always see is a pitcher looking thing with a pouring spout, usually inside of a large bowl. An earlier posted shave den had one...

Is the pitcher for bringing back boiling water and the bowl for razor rinsing? Next to them are the mug in this picture, so I'm assuming they're not for lather building.

 

[Leche]

Since there was no running water there, the pitcher would be for the hot water and the bowl was the sink.

 

[ctakim]

Exactly, before there was running water, that was the sink and the chamberpot was the...well you know!

 

[thirdeye]

Exactly, before there was running water, that was the sink and the chamberpot was the...well you know!

Yes sir, what he said.

 

[Thebigspendur]

Yep that was the wash basin and when you were done you opened the window and through the contents out onto the street along with the contents of the chamberpot.

 

[Stubblefield]

Yep that was the wash basin and when you were done you opened the window and through the contents out onto the street along with the contents of the chamberpot.

Which is why you never wanted to live on the first floor . . . or go walking down the street first thing in the morning. . .

 

[SavantStrike]

The chamberpot most of us would pass on, but the washbasin is a thing of beauty. I hope to have one as nice as that some day.

 

[lamina]

...but the washbasin is a thing of beauty. I hope to have one as nice as that some day.

Former President Reagan in the 80's had the same idea!! So, the Portuguese Republic when it's time to offer nice gifts and presents to any President (long before PT water dog...) or VIP's of all kind it's time to call our vintage brand Vista Alegre (Pope Paul VI, Mitterrand, J.F.K, Churchill had some pieces...)

http://www.vistaalegre.pt

On your next visit to the White House take a look around carefully!! I've seen some replicas offered to Ronald Reagan at the factory Museum, they have 2 Rs as monogram...It was a complete set of plates, saucières and so on...

That said take a look on vintage round boxes for toothpaste!! The washbasin is a Lavanda (Latin for washing) and the pitcher a Gomil If you could see an auction of Vista Alegre vintage and timeless pieces you will be Ceramics are a beautiful world!! The set above seems to me classic ironstone but...

 

[crocto]

i'm so glad i live in the age of indoor plumbing.

 

[strat1117]

I believe it is called a "ewer," for all of you cruciverbalists.

 

[gollum83]

Exactly, before there was running water, that was the sink and the chamberpot was the...well you know!

No, I don't know. Could you kindly describe what a chamberpot is, its function, and how to use in vivid detail?