Spittoon 1837 - 1840

This utilitarian spittoon, made by William Savage, reflects early 19th-century habits and societal expectations. While seemingly simple, its design resonates with a long history of vessels employed for discarding bodily fluids, a practice deeply entwined with cultural attitudes toward hygiene and social decorum. Consider similar vessels found in ancient Roman bathhouses or the elaborate ewers and basins used in Renaissance Europe. Each object, like this spittoon, speaks volumes about how societies manage the corporeal. The act of spitting itself, often considered uncouth today, was once a common practice. This spittoon invites reflection on our ever-evolving social mores. Objects like this are embodiments of the cyclical nature of societal standards—what is once common becomes taboo, and what is hidden may resurface. The study of such an object allows us to tap into a collective memory, revealing how our management of the physical self is an ongoing negotiation between hygiene, health, and social acceptance.