Little Luxuries

It's interesting to see how the designs of our most utilitarian items have evolved since 1912. Over a dozen ceramic toothpaste jars have been recovered from the wreck site of the RMS Titanic. Relatively speaking, these jars are coming up in large numbers, and historians assume that the White Star Line provided toothpaste as a complimentary item to the first-and second-class passengers. At the time, toothpaste was a luxury, and most people didn't have the means to indulge on a regular basis.

The stoneware jars were 4” across, and were designed by John Gosnell & Co. out of London. The lid reads “Cherry Toothpaste Patronized by the Queen, Extra Moist,” and the brand claimed it should be used “For beautifying and preserving the teeth and gums.”

These pots are delicate little pieces of stoneware, and while they may be less practical than the lumpy plastic tubes we use today, they are certainly more lovely. 

Read more about Titanic on our Stories From The Titanic blog...