Chamber pot with Napoleon’s head

As well as highly desirable decorative designs, pottery was also used to celebrate and commemorate national events, such as the Battle of Trafalgar, and as part of political and social justice campaigns such as the abolition of slavery – both at home and in the European and American markets.

This chamber pot features the figure of the French ruler Napoleon Bonaparte. It was made in 1805, when he was at the height of his ambitions. He had successfully invaded and conquered countries across the European continent, and France was at war with Britain almost continually, until 1815 when Napoleon was finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.

One reaction to this was to poke fun at him, through the press, satirical cartoons, and household items – such as this chamber pot, which would have been kept under the bed and used at night-time in place of a toilet!

Did you know..?

Pottery is an ancient art dating back to before the Neolithic period.

Use our Classroom resources to investigate this object and the themes of the Industrial revolution, Social and Cultural revolution, and the Napoleonic Wars further.

Highlights:

• Using objects and artworks to find out about the past
• Objects personified
• Exploring ceramic surface designs: traditional and contemporary (coming soon)

And much more…