Quack Medicine Tench’s Carbolic Tooth Paste Pot and Lid 1885

Genuine Victorian Transfer Printed
TENCH’S CARBOLIC TOOTH PASTE

ROBERT BIRD, PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMIST/PROPRIETOR

103 High ~ Holborn England

c. 1885

This is a fascinating toothpaste pot, circa 1885, salvaged from a Victorian tip or dump in England. It once contained Carbolic Toothpaste, one of the early varieties of toothpaste used in Britain.

Tooth cleaning first become a hygenic standard in 18th century England, primarily for the upper classes, and was accomplished with a variety of strange tools. Tooth paste began appearing in the 19th century, and was marketed in these beautiful pots beginning in the 1880s, when nearly every chemist or pharmacist began formulating his own recipe and printing their own pots for advertising.  This popular formulation used the addition of carbolic acid which kills bacteria and has a sweet tarry smell.  The pot lid and base was made in the Staffordshire district and is transfer printed in black. The attractive lid bears the name of the product, some boastful claims, the name of the chemist and the location.

The little pot measures 2 3/4“ wide and stands 1 1/2" tall.  It is in great condition, with a tight hairline off the rim.  The piece will make a great addition to any collection of transfer printed advertising wares or quack medicines, and would make a fabulous gift for the dentist in your life!