TRANSFERWARE TOOTHBRUSH OR TOOTHSTICK BOXES

I saw a lidded rectangular ceramic box printed in blue in a junk shop in the 1960s.  Neither the owner of the shop nor I knew its purpose.  I thought it would be useful to hold Brillo (pot scrubbing wire mesh) or soap.  As the years went by, I was told the box was used to hold razors or toothbrushes.  Now I know the boxes were probably just for toothbrushes.  Only a safety razor would fit in it, not the large razors used when the box was new.

"The Dictionary of Blue and White Printed Pottery 1780-1880" by A.W. Coysh and R.K. Henrywood says the box was often called a toilet box and was included in a toilet set to hold toothsticks.   "In Georgian times a toothstick was made by wrapping a clean piece of cloth around one end of a stick.  This was then used to clean the teeth using lemon juice mixed with salt to whiten them."  I will add that my dentist said that lemon juice used regularly will remove the enamel from your teeth! 

Below are two toothstick or toothbrush boxes from the 1820s and 1830s.  Later toothstick boxes might have a handle on the lid as well as pierced holes for ventilation.

Toothstick or Toothbrush Boxes

Rose pattern toothstick box, approximately 7 inches by 3 inches by 2.5 inches high/Maker Unknown, c. 1830

Inside of the rose pattern toothstick box

Lid of the rose pattern toothstick box

"British Views" toothstick box, approximately 6.5 inches by 3 inches by 1.5 inches high, c. 1820

Lid of "British Views" toothstick box/View of Comb Bank, Kent, Maker Unknown*

Inside of the "British Views" toothstick box

*You only see a partial view of the Comb Bank, Kent pattern.  Comb Bank (the great house) is missing!  The dog and boat are copied from an oil painting by Philip Reinagle (1749-1833) titled "Water Dog."