This is possibly a unique Chamber Pot with its very unusual triangular knob. Chamber Pots were generally used as a urinal at night for those who did not want to make the trek to the outhouse. There are 4 differences between this chamber pot and the mushroom knob chamber pot, other than the knobs: 1) this triangular knob pot is not as squat as the mushroom knob pot 2) the cover does not fit into an inset groove like the other does 3) it has bulging sides not tapered sides 4) it is of heavier construction (thickness) and weighs about a pound more than the mushroom
This is a very rare mushroom knob Chamber Pot and very few are known. A second example's dimensions, weights and provenance are shown in parentheses. Chamber pots were generally used as a urinal at night for those who did not want to make the trek to the outhouse. The mushroom knob is decorated with a lotus like flower of 20 petals. The last picture shows the second example's knob with only 15 petals. There are 4 differences between this chamber pot and the triangular knob pot, other than the knobs: 1) this mushroom knob pot is squatter than the triangular knob pot 2) the cover fits into an inset groove 3) it does not have bulging side 4) it is of lighter construction (thickness) and weighs about a pound less than the triangular knob pot.
This is a low size (8" tall) and heavy? (almost ? lbs.) Canton form. It differs from the 2 other single handled chamber pots by having a loop knob, not mushrooom or triangular knobs. This chamber pot has a top that overhangs the bottom, it does not have an inset rim. It has a single tang on the handle like the chamber pot with the triangular knob. It has a bulging side like the triangular knob pot. The bottom is glazed. The simple loop handle and loop knob indicate a late 19th century age.
This is a large size (11" tall) and heavy (almost 7 lbs.) Canton form. Not delicate but heavily constructed, it differs from the 2 other chamber pots by having 2 handles, a loop knob, a scalloped rim (8 scallops), and a different shape. This chamber pot has an inset rim like the mushroom knob chamber pot. It has a single tang on each handle like the triangular chamber pot. The bottom is glazed. The loop handles and knob indicate a late 19th century age. Herbert Schiffer's book says he has not seen this particular form among the other standard Chinese forms so, it is unique to the Canton pattern.