My mom and I went out shopping on Friday in the hopes of finding cool things to sell in the online shop and at Lucketts in May. It was a little slow at first, but we ended up finding some really great things. Of course, we were hunting for ironstone among other things and found some pretty pieces. I rounded the corner to check out one booth and spotted this…
You might think, from this picture, that it is a sugar jar without a lid.
…and that would be a reasonable guess…
…except THIS is a sugar jar…
The piece I found is huge! It’s the biggest piece of ironstone I’ve ever seen. It was paired with a lid that sort of fit, but clearly wasn’t meant to go with it. It is an unmarked piece, but I know without a question in my mind that it is ironstone. The tag tied on one of the handles described it as a chamber pot. I had my doubts, so I did a little research and it looks like it is indeed a chamber pot. Maybe it’s like the “comfort height” chamberpot for the big and tall…or people with bad knees…or people who were on the lazy side and wanted to empty their pots less often.
Either way, I’ve never seen one like it, so while I’m not usually into chamber pots (I mean, they are toilets), I couldn’t pass up a piece of ironstone so large and unique.
So, now that I have it…what should I do with it?
101 Responses
Oh it is sooooo beautiful!!!! It would like gorgeous with a few big puffy hydrangeas in it ……they are my favorite flower :o)
A plant would be pretty in it!! di@Cottage-wishes
Gorgeous piece, I am sure it would work in any setting.
I’ve always felt a little iffy about chamber pots too . . . but it is a good idea to buy something unique when you see it! You never know if you will see another one like that. I bet it would look great holding a bunch of daisies.
I have several Thunder Mugs/Chamber Pots. They make cute trash cans in bedroom or bathrooms…I have one at my front door filled with older canes and umbrellas..I have one in a spare bedroom full of dried hydrangeas. At one time I had a granite ware one sparkling clean on my kitchen counter full of utensils…As like most things if 2 or 3 or good….12-15 is always better….they are still found weekly at auctions in the midwest…I think this would actually be part of a wooden commode. the commode is comfortable height the seat lifts to add the actual pot….make sense…..I am sure you will find 100 ways to use your Thunder Mug as they are called in our neck of the woods. mm
Beautiful! Maybe fill it with a tall conical topiary?
Just finished watching last episode of Downton Abbey Season 4 and if you notice, as the young ladies are in an anteroom (?) waiting to be presented to the King & Queen when mention is made of the commode behind the screen. I picture what “Maybe’s Mom says” in her comment (above). All the suggestions are a pleasant repurpose for this beautiful item. One might never suspect.
It’s begging to be a fabulous vase full of Spring flowers!
It is indeed a chamber pot but this particular type is referred to as a master waste jar. These are harder to come by and generally will sell between $125-225 on ebay depending on ornamentation, maker’s mark and condition (big chips or cracks would go for considerably less). Yours doesn’t have a maker’s mark but it does have the rope design which is not as common so probably more valuable. They look beautiful with floral arrangements, especially fresh flowers. What a wonderful find for you!
It would look magnificent with pale pink/white peonies in it . Eek just read that sentence back-honestly didn’t mean that pun! Anyway…fresh cut seasonal flowers, red twig dogwood branches in the autumn and pine boughs/branches at Christmas. I hope you keep it as part of your collection.
Ha! Make it into a lamp like the picture I sent you of mine. BTW, new burlap shade and AS paint on the wood base made my lamp pretty nice. Keepin’ it and using it proudly.
Oh, I luv this idea….a gorgeous lamp…..
Geraniums. Red geraniums!
A large fern and then sit it on a tall pedestal painted in Luckett green.
I can envision many a gorgeous plants/flowers in this container… pussy willows, dogwood branches, peonies (my personal favorite), yellow roses, and the list it endless. Great find!
What a beautiful piece.
Stunning
X
Marian,
In Indiana this is called a “slop Jar”. There were sets that were kept in the bedroom, consisting of the chamber pot (for poo and pee), a bowl and pitcher that in which you would pour clean water from the pitcher into the bowl to wash with, and the slop jar which held the dirty water from the wash bowl. If you had a “busy” night on the chamber pot, you also could pour that into the slop jar as well, and it could then be carried out in the morning for disposal.
These sets sometimes had matching cups as well to rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth and this waste water would also be put into the “slop jar”. There are some lovely sets in our area. I have a white ironstone set and 2 other bowls and pitchers without the rest of the set. It is often hard to find a complete set.
I am sure if we had a visit from the past, they would laugh about us using a chamber pot in our kitchen! 🙂
Blessings
I just can’t get over it’s a chamber pot. It’s huge! And beautiful! Looking forward to seeing what you’re going to do with it. Great find 🙂
Marian, Trust what Shelly said about this being a ” Slop jar” as I have a whole set of the chamber,wash basin,soap holder,water pitcher and slop jar from England that I bought over 30 years ago..she is dead on the money with this one..I paid $ 500.00 for the set back then..
Hugs and smiles Gloria
WOW just gorgeous. Endless possibilities such as, to display all white or blue and white flowers, when the holidays roll around a huge Queensland Blue Squash on top, then as a xmas tree stand. Good find.
Never ever sell!!!!
I would say take this beautiful piece to Lucketts… If I can get to your booth without getting trampled I’ll take it!! Lol
A huge bouquet of pussywillows
!
A topiary would look pretty in it
Love the shape of this and the handle details! I think a tree topiary or Hydrangeas would look stunning.
For more of a utilitarian use….no pun intended 😉 … what about a use in the kitchen holding wooden spoons and vintage rolling pins? To do this though, one would need to get past the fact of this beauty’s former life. Maybe the flowers are your best bet 😉
It’s a keeper!
Lamp !!
Oh my gosh it is just beautiful…what a great find. I agree it would make a lovely “vase” filled with hydrangeas sitting on a stool!
I bet this is a slop jar, and probably had a matching lid in the beginning. I love it just as sculpture! Sally
sell it to me! I’ve always wanted an ironstone one.
I own the metal and enamel “poorman’s” version that belonged to my dad’s family. in our last house I used it to hold reding material in a bathroom, locating by the toilet. currently, my teenage daughter uses it in her craft show set up as part of her display for hand sewn grosgrain belts. we get looks and lots of sweet conversations from little ‘ole ladies who recognize the pot.
I can think of a billion (okay, not that many; just a million) ways I would use it in my house.
again, sell it to me 🙂 !
it’s lovely….if it were me, I’d fill it with flowers! I see with with huge hydrangea blooms…
Chamber pots and spitoons freak me out! I mean if they were at one time used for what the name is – yuck. How about putting flowers in it or a plant? Is it too heavy to make into a chandelier? I did a brass spatoon as a chandelier for a friend. It turned out great. How about a lamp? You could use it for storage of say creamers or sugars that are in packets. You could also put your sponges or dish things in it. OR wooden spoons or other often used utenslis in the kitchen. How about magazines? you may have to roll them though…. Trash can in the bathroom or to hold bathroom extra’s like TP? You could fill it with water and make a water garden for the porch. Or a fountain… that would be cute.
Hi Marian, I thought you would want to know that I’m getting pop-up ads on your site. They are small floating rectangular ads from Toyota, with all text in Spanish.
Hmm. It IS a beautiful piece, but as an old nurse having emptied more bed pans than I care to remember, I would have preferred not knowing its original use! I can’t seem to put that behind me, even though I usually LOVE pieces with a history! I think a good scrubbing with clorox and then some hydrangea stems might make me forget its former life…What a good find!
It clearly needs some spring flowers in it and dried ones in the fall like some green hydrangeas.
An arrangement of your hydrangeas would be gorgeous in that.
That comparison shot is the best! I’m sure it took your breath away when you saw it 🙂
This is sooo totally unrelated To chamber pots or Ironstone….but every single time I get a blog update from mms2.wpengine.com, I can’t help but think of and wonder how your son( and you) are getting along now that you’ve been managing life with juvinelle diabetes? Our own son was diagnosed at age 12, is now 27 and doing amazing….thank God! Just want you to know he was a successful high school athlete, is still active in sports….has never used an insulin pump… never had a hospitalization or emergency due to diabetes. There is so much hope in future treatments with all the research underway. I hope all is going smoothly in your household with this transition period! Blessing to you ! And… I really LOVE your blog.
Penny
BLEACH — and lots of it to start with. Then fill it with lots of beautiful hydrangeas! 😉
If it’s big enough, I think it would be beautiful by the door as an umbrella stand.
Well i think it would be great in your guest bedroom. Its beautiful and what a conversation piece.
I planted a spider plant in a white urn and after it grew it was so beautiful with the leaves flowing down the sides of the urn.
Great find, I would say flowers for sure 🙂
Either a vase or a kitchen utensil holder.
It looks like it would make the perfect champaigne bucket
You are hilarious! What should you do with it???? keep it and never let it go! It’s totally FAB.
I say utensils or flowers like most the others…I am sure it has been cleaned so many times it is fine! I also can see a gorgeous fern in it 🙂 However I would line it no matter what so it doesn’t get waterlogged 🙂
As Howard Cunningham (ala Happy Days) once said to his wife, “sit on it, Marian” bahahaha. Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself 😉
Hilarious!
I have an Ironstone chamber pot – very plane design – my dog uses it as his waterbowl which I though was very appropriate ; )
I see this piece in a place of honor in your half bath. After all, it was once a prized possession in someone’s “chamber” . Can’t you just imagine the beauty of its original setting?
Sell it to me! 😉
Marian, if you are ever in Eastern PA, you should check out Carrieanne’s Antique Mall. They are located in Easton, PA. This is on Delaware River in North Hampton County. Prices are very reasonable and has the things you like.
I use mine in the bathroom to hold extra rolls of toilet paper. It seemed an appropriate return to it’s natural surroundings. 😉
It is perfect for a big bunch of curly willow or pussy willows…think SPRING!
Perfect for a large bouquet of flowers! Hydrangeas would be stunning.
Was going to ask you if you have to go to the bathroom, but I won’t…I’ll think flowers would be great!!
Lovely peonies or bright branches of Forsythia would be gorgeous in it!
I go with the Forsythia… bright yellow to go with all your blue. Would be stunning. I’ve read you can cut stems from the bush even tho they haven’t bloomed and will open if placed in water.
Also, a couple bunches of lavender.
It would be nice as a bathroom waste basket. I have an enamel chamber pot with lid, inherited from my Mom. She used it for a waste basket & I do the same. I love it. I also have an ironstone chamber pot that my husband bought for me. I think the original owner must have been well to do…it’s huge! I love them both.
I have an ironstone chamber pot, I use it to hold extra potty paper in the bathroom. My is not shaped life that one pictured It also has handles for carrying, Your must be a vase or something..Good luck in finding out what it is.
Wow. What a great find. While everyone else is thinking flowers, my first thought was more practical. I think it would be great on the kitchen counter filled with large spoons and other oversized utensils.
Hey, great idea for utensils. I was thinking flowers too, but I love your idea.
That was my first thought, too. My next thought was, “I don’t want a chamber pot on my kitchen counter!” Ha!
I’m with you — ewww~!
Fill it full of beautiful flowers….Spring is on it’s way after all, I think!
I say use it as a vase or planter. It would look great.
I’d house my collection of wooden spoons and cooking utensils in it.
Put great big branches in it!
It’s sooooo pretty! And while it may actually have been a chamber pot, the view on the inside looks pristine white….so, maybe it’s not?! Anyway, I know you will come up with something perfect for it. Mustardize that thing!!!!!!! 🙂
I have an ironstone chamber pot that I keep in the bathroom to hold extra toilet paper
I would put lots of forsythia in it! I love white with spring colors. I have a small celery vase that I plan to put daffodils in. I adore white ironstone and your piece is lovely!
Is the online shop that you mention on Facebook under Miss Mustard Seed? Also, my ironstone chamberpot has been passed down in the family and currently holds office supplies. It’s the perfect size–you can see at a glance what’s in there but it still corrals all the stuff.
WoW! this is much too pretty to be a chamber pot. I am wondering if it’s mark with a USA? I have some very large white dishes that belong to my Grandmother that are mark only with a USA on the back.
Not the right shape for a chamber pot.
Amazing! Love the size and I’m sure you do as well!
Hi Marian,
I believe that is a waste water pot, not a potty pot, if you know what I mean. Containers like that were used to hold the gray water emptied from the wash basin and then carried down to be emptied when full. It saved at least one trip downstairs, though I imagine a lot of the emptying went into plants or was thrown from the window or dust porch. And, of course, not all bedrooms were on the second floor. It was interesting, last night, when I was listing to a Bill Bryson audio book and he mentioned that Victorians were so odd, why did they build doors on second stories when there were no stairs leading down from it. That was a dust porch. Can you imagine what a pain it would have been to walk all the way downstairs to shake out a dust cloth? There was a reason for that door.
Thank you for the dust porch explanation! As a transplant to the north from Texas, I keep seeing these random upper-story doors with no landing or stairs leading down. I always just figured they once had wooden stairs that had since rotted and been removed, but that makes much more sense.
I would put a beautiful Boston fern in it!
I know, no one else is talking about this but myself, but in case anyone else is interested in the Victorian life, the dust porch was used to shake out rugs, sheets, etc. not just dust cloths. Things were not washed as often as we wash things now.
The ironstone pot, that you have, Marian, is from the Aesthetic Movement, around 1880.
Ginene – love learning from you. All that you shared makes perfect sense! Certainly, the household chores were chores!
Great information… and correct on both counts. It is a water waste pot. And the door with no stairs was an practical oddity of the Victorian Era. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I live in the a Pacific Northwest. My first thought was to use it as an umbrella stand/holder. Have fun with it!!
Hi Marian —
You have what is known as a “Master” Chamber Pot. They were used in hotels where maids emptied chamber pots and waste water from each guest room as they cleaned. Large homes (where there were also maids!!) may also have used these.
I have purchased several over the years (both my daughter and I are avid white ironstone collectors) in various shapes. My daughter has used several for planters for small faux ficus plants as well as using one in her Bathroom to hold long handles back brushes and sponges. At Christmas, one is used for a lovely table top tree. Enjoy yours — so many great ways to use them
Marian – Even though it was identified as a Chamber Pot, I have one without handles that is a Slop Jar – it originally had a lid, but doesn’t now. Mine is on my mantle right now filled with dried seedheads on long stalks – but, they can be used in SO many different places, & so many different ways!! Congratulations on your “score”!!
I have a chamberpot, giant pitcher and three washbasins and they are my favorite pieces. I have high ceilings and dark furniture in my bedroom and have them on top of an armoire, but empty. Can’t wait to see how you decorate with these…..I need some ideas 🙂
Whatever it was used for it’s neat! And………….thanks for the reminder — I have a chamber pot upstairs that I will now bring down and put in my bathroom. Perhaps it will hold extra toilet paper or be used as a waste basket. The cover on mine does not match exactly either.
I love the handles!
It is a slop jar. The dirty water from the wash basin was emptied into the slop jar (and maybe the chamber pot, too) and then taken away to dispose of the contents. It would be very versatile. It’s lovely.
Seems like it needs to be filled with lavender scented epsom salt and an awesome wooden scoop. Set by your bathtub for good hot soaks…notice I didn’t say long soaks..not with little ones running around!
go potty? (I just couldn’t resist!)
Fresh flowers would be stunning or you could use a topiary ball on top?? It is certainly a gorgeous and very enormous piece. You have so many places in your home and I am sure you will find the perfect way to enhance it.
Lee 🙂
I have one in the “Ching” pattern by E&M Co. and I use it for large floral arrangements in my foyer.
I agree with so many others. It just says fill me with flowers! I was thinking sunflowers or gladioli. Also, I think it would be pretty filled with branches and decorated as an egg tree for Easter, paper hearts for valentines day, fall leaves or pumpkins for autumn, mini mercury glass ornaments for Christmas, you get the idea. Wherever you put it is going to be beautiful. Great find!
I love it! It is awesome for SO many uses!! I know you’ll find something to do with it 🙂 Btw, I found a cool chamberpot at a consignment store but my hubs wouldn’t let me buy it…he said it was ‘gross’…next time I’ll just get it and not tell him what it was used for 🙂
Let one of the boys christen it in the way it may have been used many years ago! 😉
Chamber pots were used in our house until I was 14 yrs old and moved to town. I can hardly look at one now. Had to use them and had to empty them every day! We also had “slop buckets” under the sink table, but those were usually 5 gal. metal buckets. I prefer to think your beautiful find as a slop jar. It would look awesome with a big fern in it.
Since not knowing the size, It may have been a bisquit jar. It would have had a lid.
It doesn’t look like a chamber pot to me.
My Maddock decendants made pottery in England. I am always looking for their pieces.
Hope you find out exactley what it is. Love your website, Marian. It’s the greatest and so interesting! 🙂
Well, for starters, keep it! I like all the ideas here but my first thought on flowers was giant purple allium….or topped with a preserved boxwood ball.
First thought if it’s large enough was to use for umbrellas by front door. 2nd thought was vase.
My first thought was ice and a bottle of champagne! But flowers and spoons would also be great, and perhaps more practical…..
I notice that this conversation happened awhile ago….
I found one similar in a shop in town with a lid and metal handle with a wooden grip on it.
The price tag was $110. I didn’t get it, but still look at it when I drive by.
Saw one in a mag under a kitchen work table, and they called it a slop bucket.
I was hoping that meant kitchen scrap!
I thought of putting som cotton ball branches in it which I have seen for sale online.