Were there porcelain bathtubs in the 1600s?

Question

I'm researching a project for my Humanities class and we cannot seen to find any information on whether there were porcelain bathtubs in the 1600s that could be used in a big final project we have to create. If anyone has any informtion on the history of porcelain bathtubs, any websites to direct us towards, and/or known a 1600s Historian in which we could contact, that would be greatly appreciated! I thank you in advanced,
Gottennis.

Answer 1

I can't tell you whether there was porcelain tubs, but I can tell you that they did have metal tubs, tiled baths, and wooden tubs. The titled baths were the only fixed ones and were mostly to be found in Italy and Spain in the homes of the rich. They were based on the Roman baths.

In England, most people had metal and wooden tubs which could be filled, dumped, then put away. Keep in mind that the same tub would have been used for doing laundry, making soap, and possibly cooking for crowds.

The poorest people wouldn't have such a tub. That's what streams were for. They also didn't bathe often as it was considered unhealthy.

I believe porcelain tubs came into fashion when indoor plumbing did because they didn't have to be hauled away to the kitchen to be emptied.

Answer 2

If there were any, they were only in China, because the west didn't invent true porcelain until the 18th century.