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Portable zinc bath with wooden base. It has two handles and two wheels. It is decorated with mouldings and diamond shapes. It comes from the Miramar Palace in San Sebastian, built in 1893 as the summer residence of the royal family, who were already coming to the city to take sea baths from the mid-nineteenth century.
The handles and wheels show that the bath was intended to be portable. This was common until running water became widespread in homes. Orthopathy or Natural Hygiene was a nineteenth-century movement which placed great importance on bathing for health, recommending both invigorating sea baths and hygienic body baths. Until the mid-twentieth century, both forms of bath were almost exclusive to the wealthier classes. It would take decades before the weekly bath (and later shower) became commonplace, following widespread installation of hot running water.

This piece, like the rest of the collection from the Miramar Palace, belongs to the Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa.

Bibliography:

Sagüés Subijana, Miguel. Historia del palacio de Miramar. Boletín de Estudios Históricos sobre San Sebastián. 28, 1994. 255-300.

Inventory number: GFA-017037-001

Details

  • Title: Bath
  • Creator: Anonymous
  • Date: XX century
  • Physical Dimensions: 70 x 137 x 68 cm
  • Provenance: Miramar Palace, St Sebastian (Gipuzkoa)
  • Type: Furniture
  • Medium: Zinc, Wood

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