In larger Georgian Houses men and women would have separate dressing rooms. Although this room is set out as a gentleman’s room it is more likely to have been shared. The objects in this room reflect the types of items that would have been used by a middle class gentleman.
The washing of the face, feet and hands was a daily ritual, while bathing one’s body was not. Baths may only have been taken a handful of times over the period of a year.
People would wash in basins. A portable hip-bath could be placed in the dressing room if they decided to bathe completely.
Mahogany Bidet, circa 1830, fitted with its original cream colour ware basin.
Boot Jack, used for removing boots, circa 1800.
A Mahogany Travelling Chest form about 1760, Irish. Also known as dowry chests, these were used by families while travelling between their houses.
Landscape watercolour, dated 1847, by William Brocas (1794 – 1868). Provenance: Landscape school of the RDS.
ALSO ON THE SECOND FLOOR: