Every month we feature two blogs written by volunteers, one describes an object in the Palace and one a plant from the Garden. It is a great way for us all to learn more about the Palace. If you would like to contribute there is no set format so, please do send us your ideas!
This month’s Object of the Month is a Hot Water Bottle that forms part of the Palace’s collection of handling objects held in the Learning Centre.
The “Adaptable Hot Water Bottle & Bed Warmer” is a Hot water bottle created by The Old Fulham Pottery. I was able to date this to the Edwardian Period, specifically 1906, because I came across an auction date that was selling a replica of the same. During King Edward the 7th reign Arthur Winnington-Ingram held the post of Bishop of London and resided at Fulham Palace.
This particular hot water bottle is different from the hot water bottles we are so used to seeing which are made out of rubber. But even before this hot water bottle they looked very different. Prior to this style of hot water bottle, they were metal pans either brass or copper with hot coal inside. Looking back at those, I don’t think they were very practical or safe.
Returning to this hot water bottle it is important to understand that it is ceramic. Ceramic hot water bottles were coming out of circulation at this time because rubber was introduced. Interestingly, the rubber hot water bottle was introduced in 1875 which was almost 30 years before this bottle was made. This may be the reason that I have been unable to find ceramic hot water bottles dating after the 1910s.
If you look closely at this bottle screw top lid, it is not rust that you’re seeing, it is in actual fact rubber. Rubber was used here to stop water leaking out. This explains why this model’s lid was moved from the front to the top. Old Fulham Pottery tried to use the introduction of rubber in their hot water bottles but the demand for completely rubber hot water bottles increased and ceramic water bottles have all but disappeared… what a lovely rare example this is!
Alishah Kalim Learning Placement Student
Please send your ideas for Object / Specimen of the Month blogs to rachel.bagnall-bray@fulhampalace.org. If you would like some help, please let us know.