Women used to pee in Gravy Boats

Women used to pee in Gravy Boats

Anyone who has ever worn shapewear or an elaborate dress, knows that it isn’t always convenient – or even possible – to remove your garments in such a way that makes going for a wee~wee easy.

Women of the past, certainly knew this problem well.
Given the layers of slips, dresses, and outerwear that would have made up their daily attire, it’s no surprise that women had to come up with other ways of having a tinkle.

The clever women of the era had ways of using the bathroom, while hardly having to adjust their clothing at all.
Starting in the 18th century, women used fanciful gravy-boat like dishes, called Bourdaloues, when nature called.

The bourdaloues were typically made of porcelain or metal – and genuinely do look like small gravy boats, minus a spout.
They had a handle on one end and were curved inwards in the middle to rest comfortably against the user.

For wealthy women, a maid would be waiting nearby to empty the pot after use.

A painting by Francois Boucher from the 1760’s, shows a woman in full dress preparing to use a bourdaloue.

Reportedly, women would use them in public, merely standing in a dark hallway, or behind a curtain to relieve themselves.

The advent of water closets in the 19th century put an end to the practice of using bourdaloues.

🤭 Painting by Francois Boucher c.1760’s