Doe and Hope

Description

Of oval form, the attractive hand painted and twin handled papier-mâché footbath being hand painted to simulate coopered oak with two painted bandings, in very much the Regency taste and now beautifully time-worn, the whole in original condition surviving from the second quarter of nineteenth century England.

In good order the piece has expected wear with some dints, bruises, slight losses and surface scuffing, She remains complete and un-meddled with, which is very appealing. The base bears a monogram makers stamp in a cartouche ‘SA’(?).

According to 19th–century physician John Bell ‘pains of the head, teeth and eyes would yield to the foot bath’ with the use of cold water and constant rubbing of the feet while in the bath helping to dispel illness. They weren’t used just for ailments but also for ladies’ beauty training in the Regency period “Another hour's active exercise was recommended before going to bed followed by a foot bath with tepid water and another session with a skin brush or nibbed cotton cloth. One should go to bed no later than ten in the evening.”

Try it with flowers, fruit, wine or if you must, feet.