A typical 18th century English pewter bedpan stamped London by Birch and Villers with a beautiful dark patina

The top of the bed pan is decorated with concentric lines.  The handle can be removed for the effluent. The inside of the pan is emblazoned London within a curved cartouche. The base has two stamps with the makers mark of Birch and Villers (John Birch and William Villers Birmingham Eng., 1772-1786) who were the first recorded major firm of Birmingham Pewterers. A similar example can be seen in Wellcome Images.

• From the Phisick collection