What "road ships" looked like for ladies and other facts about the hygiene of Russian nobles

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

When they talk about Russian aristocrats of the 18-19th centuries, gentlemen and ladies dancing at balls appear before the mind's eye. They have beautiful clothes, luxurious hairstyles and jewelry, and they look clean and tidy. This is how we see them in movies and paintings. And how was it really? After all, there was no central sewerage system, there were no bathrooms with hot water, showers and toilets. How did people get along in those days and keep their bodies clean? Read the article about hygiene in the old days.

Unwashed Russia? How about changing gloves 6 times a day?

Quite strict requirements were imposed on the aristocracy. They had to be able to behave in public, look stylish, be able to dance and speak beautifully. Etiquette for the upper class consisted of rules that were taken from European experience. France was rightfully considered the favorite of etiquette.

In addition to dignified behavior, the nobles had to pay maximum attention to personal hygiene. Women and men were supposed to look impeccable, and unpleasant odors were considered bad form. For example, what was the rule about changing gloves: aristocrats were obliged to change them every time they visited the toilet. It can be understood that approximately six pairs of gloves were required per day.

Much attention was paid to the condition of the teeth. To fight off bad breath, salt was rubbed into the gums and also beeswax was chewed. Tsar Peter the Great brought this issue to the state level and ordered the boyars to chew charcoal or chalk every day, and also to use a damp cloth to wipe their teeth.

The emergence of water closets as an alternative to cesspools

Toilets are another story. For a long time, there was no talk of devices with a flow-through drain. For the first time, such a structure was installed in the Summer Palace of St. Petersburg, and this historical event took place in 1710. The first personal water closet belonged to Alexander Menshikov, an associate of Tsar Peter I. In the work of the historian Zimin “The Winter Palace. People and Walls”indicates that this imperial residence was equipped with a sewage system only in 1826. For her, the architect Rossi allocated special places for the so-called "water closets", and they were located not far from the St. George Hall.

But this is in the capital's palace. And what did the nobles in the provinces do? They were not as lucky as the aristocrats from St. Petersburg and Moscow. Until the early 20th century, residents of provincial cities used antediluvian buildings with fetid cesspools. In some city houses, stationary toilets were made, called the necessary closets. Usually there were two such closets, one for the masters, the other for the servants. And they were at the entrance. The downside was the unpleasant smell that came from the hallway.

Some historians believe that Novgorod was the most progressive city in Russia in terms of hygiene - there are mentions that during the excavations parts of the city water supply and sewerage system were discovered. And these systems were built in the 11th century. By the way, if you compare with France: at that time in romantic Paris, citizens poured sewage from the windows. Therefore, the French wore wide-brimmed hats. Who wants to get under such, to put it mildly, unpleasant shower?

Chamber pots as works of art

There were also chamber pots. However, if the peasants used primitive metal containers, then the nobles used beautiful earthenware vases. For storage of these vessels, special lockers were intended, which were installed in the noble's bedrooms. In the morning, a specially appointed servant had to take out the night vases, empty, wash thoroughly and put back.

The already mentioned book by the historian Zimin contains a description of various pieces of furniture that were in the Winter Palace. In addition to luxurious sofas, armchairs, chests of drawers and other utensils, he describes the curious design as a night chair equipped with a soft cushion made of genuine leather and a container (pot) made of earthenware. Comfort comes first! The aristocrats sat down on a special piece of furniture, and the faience vase received waste. It's funny that a product that today would be called a "portable toilet", but used to be called a "retractable chair" could be very expensive. Their production was entrusted to renowned craftsmen who tried to make a real work of art worthy of admiration and bragging.

Road boats for ladies: travel in comfort

Aristocrats traveled quite often. At the same time, it was not as difficult for men as for women: the traveler could simply drive off on horseback to the side, away from the road, closer to dense bushes and do all the necessary things. And what was left for the fair sex? For them, a water bottle was invented, which was necessarily in every carriage. This word was called an analogue of a night vase, which was made in the form of a vessel of a comfortable oblong, but always exquisite shape. Burdala was made of earthenware or porcelain, painted with beautiful pictures, sometimes of very frivolous content. Such a vase was small in size, and a woman could easily hide it under a fluffy skirt.

The same Zimin wrote that while researching the archives of Nicholas I, he found an interesting record. He looked through the accounting reports and found mention that eighteen rubles had been paid for the manufacture of the women's "road vessel". They used the wine glass not only on trips, but also during long-term events. Everything happened while standing, because the object was equipped with a comfortable handle. The maids helped the lady to cope with the fluffy skirt.

Later, the situation was somewhat different. After all, not everyone knows what was the hygiene in the USSR: A reusable syringe, one glass of soda for everyone and no massive infections.