Remembering History: Soap and sponge boxes (1697–1759, master 1716) were often made to accompany a silver shaving basin—an oval bowl with a broad notched rim that allowed the basin to be pressed against a gentleman’s neck while he was being shaved. The decorative piercing on the sponge box had a practical purpose: in the eighteenth century, was purchased in a ball rather than a bar.

Soap and sponge boxes (1697–1759, master 1716) were often made to accompany a silver shaving basin—an oval bowl with a broad notched rim that allowed the basin to be pressed against a gentleman’s neck while he was being shaved. The decorative piercing on the sponge box had a practical purpose: in the eighteenth century, was purchased in a ball rather than a bar.

Soap and sponge boxes (1697–1759, master 1716) were often made to accompany a silver shaving basin—an oval bowl with a broad notched rim that allowed the basin to be pressed against a gentleman’s neck while he was being shaved. The decorative piercing on the sponge box had a practical purpose: in the eighteenth century, was purchased in a ball rather than a bar.