Temples of Convenience and Chambers of Delight

The Romans were the first to establish bathing in Britain, but after they had gone, the principle of cleanliness disappeared for 1000 years. Public bathhouses were reintroduced into Britain by the Crusaders, and remained until the reign of Henry VIII. It was in the 1800's that England began to produce an array of baths, lavatories and wash basins. Today, bathroom design focuses upon the luxurious. This book contains over 150 images and captions on the designs the author has discovered. They include baths with hoods, baths decorated with shells, cherubs and leaves, lavatories entwined with acorns, swags and flowers, and designs in the shape of lions and dolphins.