Chamber pot

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Chamber pot

Bourdaloue chamber pots belonging to the former Austrian Imperial Household, Hofburg, Vienna.

A chamber pot (also known as a chamber-pot, a chamberpot or a jordan) consists of a bowl-shaped container kept in the bedroom under a bed and used as a toilet at night (but almost exclusively for urine).

Chamber pots, usually ceramic, often had lids.

A peculiar form of chamber pot, the Bourdaloue, was designed specifically for females. The oblonged rectangle or oval shape of the vessel, sometimes with a higher front enabled the woman to urinate with out much risk of mishap, and also to help deal with the clothing of the day. The name "Bourdaloue" allegedly comes from that of a famous French Catholic priest, Louis Bourdaloue (1632 - 1704), who delivered such long sermons that females of the aristocracy attending them had their maids bring in such pots discreetly under their dresses so that they could urinate without having to leave. this however is probabaly no more than a myth.

Chamber pots remained in common use until the 19th century, when the introduction of inside water closets started to displace them.

Chamber pots continue in use today in countries such as China.

The phrase "Chamber Pot" can also refer to a member of the Baylor University Chamber of Commerce

Chamber pot

See also