Water Closet

England, 1839, brass, copper, ceramic

Water closet complete with pump mechanism. The bowl is decorated in Italian style with marine scenes and plant motifs in white, blue and azure. The absence of colour is due to the long period it lay on the seabed.

This is a very rare object and one of the first examples of modern sanitary equipment on a passenger steamer. It was located inside a bathroom for first-class guests.