JVV 0479
Delft, 1740-1760
The twisted, hexagonal spittoon has a canted accolade-shaped upper rim and stands on a waisted, profiled foot. On the body, leaves are modelled in relief, separated by C-shaped relief elements. The spittoon is painted in blue. On the protruding rim, four oval-shaped cartouches are reserved on a ground of puffs and dots. The cartouches are filled with a three-part fruit branch. The flowers on the body are highlighted in blue, with a double leafy branch painted on the stem of each flower. The C-shaped elements are also highlighted in blue, on the bottom of the wide rim are arrow shapes.
Dimensions: height 8,5 cm / 3.34, diameter 14 cm / 5.51 in.
Explanatory note
Spittoons were used in tobacco smoking and chewing. The smoker was able to properly dispose of excess saliva produced during smoking. The first spittoons date back to the seventeenth century.They were characterised by a wide protruding rim, a relatively narrow opening and a convex body. The wide rim allowed the user a fairly wide target.
Literature
G.A. Brongers, Nicotiana Tabacum. The history of tobacco and tobacco smoking in The Netherlands, Groningen 1964
