Victorian Ceramic Toilet

Social History (Museum of St Albans)

Victorian Ceramic Toilet. The water closet (WC) was invented in 1596 by Sir John Harington, godson to Queen Elizabeth I. This was the first time since the Roman period that toilets were located inside the house and used water to carry away the waste. It was considered very odd and remained a rare luxury until the 20th century, the usual convenience being a chamber pot behind a screen, or a hole in the ground with a small hut over it away from the house. This mid-19th century china WC pan had no S-bend, but emptied straight into the drain or cesspit, allowing foul air and smells to come straight back up into the room.

135 transparency

Kate Warren

1) Photo Studio

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