White circular hot-water bottle, England, 1900-1940

White-glazed earthenware circular hot water bottle, Royal Doulton, formerly used in Farnborough Hospital, 1900-1940

The size and shape of this hot-water bottle suggests that it was used to warm beds. The cap on the top could be unscrewed, allowing the bottle to be filled with hot water. This hot-water bottle was made from glazed earthenware by Royal Doulton, a famous ceramics and pottery maker once based in Lambeth, London, but now found in the Staffordshire Potteries area. This object was used at the Farnborough Hospital, Kent, England, which has since been re-named the Princess Royal University Hospital. It is shown here with a similar example (1988-609.)