A SMALL COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE SILVER
AND OBJECTS OF VERTU
THE WHAT IS? SILVER DICTIONARY



BOURDALOU
COACH POT

The silver bourdalou is a small urinary receptacle for female use, of compressed eliptical shape and generally made of porcelaine or earthenware, but also made occasionally of silver. Its front end has an incurved rim and, usually, stands on a simple foot ring with a simple loop handle. The bourdalou were used c. 1710-1850. An apocryphal explanation of the origin of the name attributes it to Père Bourdaloue (1632-1704), a Jesuit preacher at the Court of Louis XIV, whose long discourses detained the ladies of the Court so as to necessitate this practical receptacle.
In England the bourdalou is known as silver 'coach pot'.



silver bourdalou

This silver bourdalou, is unmarked but, presumably, was made in France c. 1840. The bourdalou has an engraved crest and a leather case to contain it. The Moroccan leather case measures 11.25 inches long (cm. 28,5) by 4.75 inches deep (cm. 12) and 5.75 inches tall (cm. 15) and has a brass plaque on the side bearing a crest. The bourdalou measures 10.25 inches in length (cm. 26) including the handle by 3.5 inches (cm. 9) at its widest and is 4 3/8 inches (cm. 11) at its tallest. It is crested on the side and has a reeded foot and a plain handle.

silver bourdalou and leather case silver bourdalou
silver bourdalou leather case silver bourdalou crest



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