Pure Entertainment and Fun to Boot

Open Wide and Smile

I know this is suppose to be fun and invite the little tikes to stand proudly as they relieve themselves, but there is something most disturbing about this urinal on a not so subliminal level.  I never really liked clowns that much anyway and pissing in ones mouth is not my idea of a good time.  Maybe kids would view it differently.  Still you have to admire it for its originality and mechanical difficulty.  It is a functional urinal and that takes some doing to retrofit this thing to function in a public facility of any kind.  Kudos to its designer and installer.  This guy would certainly lead to some type of conversation, wouldn't you agree?...  even where urinal etiquette insists on dutiful silence.  

Can I help you with that Big Boy?

I thought this handsome and awesome cousin  of R2D2 might displace the washroom attendant in our not to distant future.  I wonder if it actually requests you to turn your head cough.  Despite its intimidating appearance, it speaks volumes about our culture giving the lowly urinal the ability to inspect and well as receive.  I do not know where this ingenious urinal calls home, but would love to give it a visit first hand inspection some day.  I bring it here to show you the incredible ingenuity that designers put into these objects for our use and entertainment.  More to come for sure.  

New arrival from UK, circa 1900

This beauty just in from the UK.  The manufacturer of this urinal wears its logo with pride.  Boots made urinals for individual pharmaceutical drug stores (Note "Cash Chemists" to the right of the logo).  I have three of these in my collection from different apothecary shops.   This has to be one of my favorite designs because it is so streamline and elegant.  They made both this male and female models, which I will show at a later date.   The attention to detail is phenomenal  but understated and constrained with its simple strapped handle.  The size at 11" long is optimal for its function, and the opening of 1 3/4" will comfortably accommodate the largest man.   I would like to point out the asymmetrical throat morphing into the body. Notice that the arch on the top is different than the bottom.  This adds to its unique presents and identifies it immediately as a Boots Urinal.  This urinal is in very good condition with only slight scratches and glaze crazing on its surface from use and time.  The design is so confident that it needs no additional ornamental embellishment.  It is a true classic.     

 

Callaurinal: Art yes: a "readymade" it's not

Clark Sorensen's pieces are a challenge to the concepts established  in the last century by the Dadaists and yet what could be more surreal than to piss on the phallus of a calla lilly.  His ideas challenge the concepts of "form follows function".  I invite you to check out his web sight to see all his wonderful urinal creations and their inherent contradictions of good design and high art.  The point of contention is in purpose or function, necessity or aesthetic, concept or reality.  What is interesting in Clark's work is the blurring of these artistic parameters.  

Artistic Urinals in the tradition of Duchamps

Who says urinals have to be complicated in their aesthetic to make a statement, though I must say that the mechanics of this urinal are deceptive.  You may have the perception that you're just urinating in a bucket, but the mechanics and attention to every detail make this urinal a bit deceptive.  It is available from the British designer, Phillip Watts on a variety of bases.  I think it is innovative and original and has a price tag of about $1056.00.  For more of his innovative designs see his web link to the right. 

Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain", circa 1917

"Fountain " by Marcel Duchamp, 1917, photographed by Alfred Steglitz at his 291 Gallery after the 1917 Society of Independent Artists exhibit rejected his entry.  Stieglitz used a backdrop of "The Warriors" by Marsden Hartley to photograph the urinal.  Notice the exhibition tag that can be clearly seen.  There are several replicas in museums around the world including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Tate Modern Museum, London.  The original strangely disappeared.  This icon in contemporary art is the main inspiration in my interests in urinals of all kinds.  For more information on this important work of modern art click on the link to the right on Duchamp @ Wikipedia.org.

Bottle or Urinal, You decide

A "D" design for Pee? I think not.

What would make anyone think this was a functional urinal?  For if it is meant to be a urinal it is truly piss poor.  It is, however, an interesting bottle and the only quagmire that even remotely points it in the urinal direction is the hole drilled at the apex of the interior "D".  What else could that be needed for except to tie it off to a user's  bed.  The opening is only 3/4" in diameter making insertion difficult at best and the owner would have better luck with an old coke bottle.    It is tall at 11 3/4" but the volume it holds (550 cc's) is proportionately poor in comparison to other designs. If one was bed ridden, positioning this bottle would be difficult not to leave the user drenched in his own urine.  All that said, I bought this bottle as a urinal, primarily because I could  not imagine it was a very successful design except to maybe hold the flowers brought into a hospital room.  I have seen similar bottles produced in the Netherlands that also claimed to be urinals, but with the reputation of the Dutch men being well endowed, I can't imagine it does any of them favors in the urinal department.  

An Ukrainian Beauty, circa 1880's

This antique bronze glass female urinal is from the Ukraine and its most distinguish and unique characteristic is its smokey hue.  You will see old urinals that over time and exposure to UV turn to a soothing lavender color due to the magnesium in their glass formula, but that is not the case here.  This piece definitely had a coloring oxide added to create its unusual aura before it was blown into existence.  This piece was created by a master craftsman and the attention to detail is impressive.  Notice the controlled 90 degree turn in the throat and the asymmetrical shape of the opening.  What is beautiful about theses old pieces is they reflect the morphology they are designed to accommodate and the female form is so much more complicated and intricate than its male counterpart.  This piece is in excellent condition and I am honored to present it to you.          

Large Substantial Design, Swiss circa 1950's

This very handsome magnum design comes to us from Switzerland.  This is a true brute at 13 1/2 " long and and an opening of 1 3/4".   The throat alone is 5" long and the body stands at an impressive 4".  If "size matters" then this is in the top 1% of  male urinals.  It has a intricate rim design and a beautiful tapered throat with a beginning circumference of 8 1/4" graduating down to 6 1/4" at its yoke.  The mold seam is also unusual on this urinal in that it literally cuts the vessel in half making its profile visually flawless.  

Cobalt Beauty, UK circa 1920's

Very Rare Cobalt Blue Male Urinal, My Favorite!

As much as I love to talk about my urinals, this is one where I just shut up!  The exquisite and rich blue hue of this urinal is so spectacular.  It is 11" long, has an opening of 1 7/8" and is flawless.  It is mold formed as you can see the seam that helps defines its graceful form and no embellishments to distract from its simple beauty.  It has no identifying marks to give us clues as to its origin. This urinal is the number one favorite in my collection and comes to us from the UK. 

Antique Female Urinal, USA circa 1890's

This urinal is very unique and has allot hand work even though the body's formation was accomplished by blowing hot glass into a mold.  Some older urinals are literally blown into shape, but those older pieces always show the the point where the glass is broken off from the blow pipe which is usually ground to a flat surface.  The hand finishing for this piece was extensive and included the attachment and forming of the handle.  Many times you will see the handle only attached to the body, other times it is attached to the body and the yoke, the point where the throat and the body come together (as is shown), still other times it will be joined to the throat.  The craftsmanship is shown in these details.  The opening  is also formed by hand and there is great variety in its final shape thus no two are ever exact.  Being an older model, the numbers calibrating this vessel are hand engraved.  Often you hear of these numbers being etched, but the process is done by hand with a grinding wheel not acid, again adding to its individuality and uniqueness. This piece is in very good condition with no chips or imperfections.  Air bubbles are often captured in the glass, but this is not considered a flaw.  You will notice a bubble at the lower point of the opening here.  I find these characteristics add charm to their overall appeal.  If you are interested in glass urinals I invite you to view the Blog link to the right, "Urinal Heap".         

Self proclaimed Perfection, USA Circa, 1906

"Perfection Male Urinal"

28 oz/850cc

This glass urinal design lives up to its name in many respects.  The manufacturing  process was so precise that its calibration in both ounces and CC's is absolutely accurate.  The rim has a classic ogee detail and the handle is complete with stunning and controlled air bubbles at its points of insertion to the main body, a detail that blows me away.  Its boasting name of "Perfection"  is well healed and evident, for the seam detail from the mold is practically invisible adding to its nearly flawless aesthetic.  Its overall size is very manageable at just under 8" and a comfortable and practicable 2" opening makes this urinal one of the best designs I have encountered.  It came along well after its porcelain cousin below, but its evolution is most reflective in its name.  I would count on this piece being created in the 1950's.  

Meinecke & Co's, "Perfection" Male Urinal

"The only correct shape"

Patented Jan, 1906

This company was very progressive in its designs and did not conform with the established shape of the time for urinals.  The female counterpart to this model is even more unorthodox and though I do not have one in my collection, there is a link titled "Female Perfection" that will take you to a medical museum that has one in its collection.  This urinal is large at 7 3/4" high, and has a  2" opening.  Although in my opinion, it is not particularly elegant, it is very practical.  You will see this design again when we get into the glass urinals, though it will be a bit smaller and is calibrated to 800 cc.  This urinal holds the upper end of most hand held vintage urinals at 1500 cc.  It is also well identified with all the captioned information stamped on the bottom.  It is in excellent condition and though its patent is 1906, I suspect this piece was manufactured in the 1920's. 

   

Golden Boy Urinal, UK circa 1910-20

This is truly as handsome a urinal as I have ever encountered.  Its color is totally unique and is metaphorical of the liquid it collects.  To date it is the only colored urinal in my collection from Europe.  Most solid colored ceramic urinals come from the Orient mostly China and are very old.  I am sure it is of European extraction because of its details, but it was purchased here in the States.  The golden glaze is different as well, for it has iron oxidation throughout its body adding a certain ambivalent spice to its overall appearance.  Its opening is wide at 1 3/4" and supports a double rimmed lip.  Its handle mocks a leather strap and adds to its sporty shape defined  by its physical seam.  At 10 1/4" it is longer than most urinals in its class and so because of its size, proportion and dapperness, I give this urinal very high marks.     

So much effort in a handle, UK, circa 1895

This stately form is also from the UK.  It does not ring with the princely ping of high fired porcelain, for it is made from its utilitarian cousin ironstone, but what it lacks in pedigree it makes up in style, class and resilience over time.  Its long and slender throat is accented with an ornate and totally unexpected  formal handle.  This is where the eye is coxed and the payoff is extraordinary. It starts with a tucked in leaf motif, expands with the same design but reversed and then with multi tracks undulates gracefully to another abstracted shape of biological inspiration I am sure.  This urinal has a 1 5/8" rimmed opening to caress the upper end of an average sized member belonging to a man of moderate measurement.  There is an elegance or restraint in this urinal's design that deserves our admiration.  Its surface though not crazed has a distinctive patina of age and wisdom with an unusual "scar" in its finish.  Not a scratch or manufactured defect, but a ravage of time totally misunderstood and mysterious.       

Old English Gentleman With Leaf Motif, circa 1900, UK

This male urinal is the counterpart to the previous post.  It, however, is beautiful in its proportions.  The details in its handle are very sensitive with its line on line gradation culminating into a vanishing point that dissolves into a stylized leaf motif.  Like its female cousin it too has a slightly rimmed lip with a keystone of the same leaf symbol very understated and elegant. No pretentious foot on this pot, but a similar contour that defines its athletic and virile form.  With all there similarities, they are made by different makers.  The seal on this guys bottom is totally different but just about as illegible.  The crest is a circle surrounded by five two pronged crowns connected by olive branches (ok I used my imagination just a bit), and the letters "K. T. & K. Granite" below the crest.  It, too, has extensive crazing to the glaze that adds a air of superiority and specialness only granted to old and well cared porcelain even though it resounds of pedestrian ironstone.        

A wide mouth with leaf embellishments, UK, circa 1900

This beauty is  bit humorous in its proportions.  It does have some embellishments, however, that makes this "Penelope" dressed and ready for the ball.  It has a beautiful foot, which in ceramics is revered. A rather heavy and obtrusive line that delineates its form, that really works as a holding rail when you have a hold of the vessel other than by its handle.  The subtle leaf embellishments (not shown) are at the end of the handle and at the top arch of the opening and the gentle crazing of the glaze gives it authority that demands respect.  It reminds me of an old aunt whose life is quiet now, but in her day beware, for she was wild and wooly.  This piece does have a mark on the bottom, but it is indecipherable and acts more as a tease than a fact.   Flaunting its possible pedigree, but falling short, it looks like a crest with a lion on the left, a horse on the right and a crowned crest in the middle (looking with a magnifying glass the crest looks like a english bulldog's face).  The letters O. P. CO are below the crest.  In our distant past or daunting present this piece would make a statement on any bedside table to the point of intimidation.   

Old ceramic glory, USA circa 1895

Now I want to introduce another material used for urinals that goes back for literally centuries.  The urinal is not a new idea at all.  In fact, there have been times in our history that the urinal was actually a life saving instrument.  To venture out in the middle of the night to relieve yourself in our not to distant past was at best a frightening necessity, and at worst a life ending event.  And so the history of the ceramic urinal ensues.  This particular piece has an unusual marking on the bottom.  The letters "W. T. & C0."and the date 22/12/95.  Because of the date listing (day, Month, year), I would assume it is of European origin.   This particular design is real basic with no embellishments on the handle or anywhere else.  It has a slight rimmed lip and the glaze has a beautiful patina from being in a very dirty place form a very long time.  This piece was actually discovered in an old barn and could have been there for several generations.  I like this piece because it is so "husky".  It reminds me of a powerful linebacker ready for battle.  It is a 9" long and the opening is 8" around.  This piece seems to be a bit of a design quagmire, but I am very fond of it.  It is obviously old and its condition is excellent with no chips or flaws.   

Very early design WWI, Circa 1912, USA

This is a beautiful early design of the hand held urinal.  To me, it is so interesting to see the evolution of its design.  Here we see the unusual handle placement that we have talked about (looks to be almost an after thought).  This urinal has one of the smallest openings of any urinal in my collection at only 1 3/8"(a tight fit for almost any grown man).  It is my opinion that this urinal was designed before the popularity of circumcision (around 1912) and that the foreskin was actually used to "dock" with this vessel to create a water tight seal.  This design of the flowing sides was later given up to the more bulbous designs we see in the 40's and 50's.  Strangely we see this design come back in the 60's although with wider openings and better handle placement.  Notice the craftsmanship where the two halves of the vessel come together and the welds are completely ground down to be smooth.  If you are holding this urinal steady between your legs in bed, that is a very important detail to avoid irritation.  In other designs I will share in the future you will see how this detail is overlooked.  That this urinal has survived in such good condition is both rare and phenomenal. 

Columbian Enameledware, comparable to Jones.

The Columbian female urinal, circa 1950's

The Columbian Male counterpart.

I wanted to show you this Female/male pair of urinals produced by another company that is arguably equal to that of the Jones Company.  The Columbian Enamel and Stamping Co., of Terre Haute, Indiana.  Their overall quality is excellent.  Beautifully designed although the handles, though well placed , are a bit small and harder for men with  large fingers to manipulate.  Their manufacturing process was quite beautiful and a distinctive characteristic of their design is the welded yoke at the base of the throat and the bottom plate is stamped with a raised oval giving the bottom addition strength and resilience.  Their choice of colors were the classic black on white and the quality of the enameling is excellent.  Both these pieces are in near mint condition and probably never used. 

The male companion by Jones Ware, USA 1950's

This is a male counterpart to the previous posting.  I want to point out the positioning of the handle on this model, because it is often overlooked just how important this detail can be.  It would only be noticed by someone who is using the urinal from a practical stand point.  If one is bed ridden and flat on their back, it is important to be able to place the penis in the urinal with just one hand and not fall out of the opening during urination.  By placing the handle so far forward one is able to pull the urinal forward with your forefinger while holding the penis in the opening with his thumb.  This model incorporated the design improvement from the 1940's model.  Again the attention to the finishing detail by the Jones Co. is extraordinary.  This piece is in near mint condition.  

Jones Ware for the ladies, USA, circa 1950's.

Well the definition says that the urinal is strictly a man's domain, but the designers at The Jones Metal Products Co, of West Lafayette, Ohio might just disagree.  This beauty is designed with the female anatomy in mind and in the "Jones" tradition all manner of detail is strictly adhered too.  As I have said in other posts, when the label is intact it makes the urinal more collectible and this piece is in near mint condition.  The next post will display the male counterpart to this one and both have the white with the deep ultramarine blue trim around the opening, the handle and bottom trim.  Theses models are ground flush all around and the enameling is thick and smooth.  Easy on the eyes and very pleasant to the touch.  These are aesthetic concerns important to women and recognized as important design considerations by Jones.  

L & G Mfg. Co. White Enameled Ware w/ Blue Border

This piece is interesting mostly because of its label.  L & G did several other utilitarian pieces as well including kitchen utensils.  This piece has blue trim and unlike the Jones piece, the enamel is very thin.  It is in very good condition and I would have to guess that it is from the 1930's of 40's.  

Very Rare Spattered Jones Gray Enamelware, USA

In all my years of collecting I have never come across an urinal of such beauty.  This was produced by the Jones Company of West Lafayette, Ohio and you will see many of examples of their designs on this sight.  This particular piece is exceptional because the attention to detail is so incredible.  Remember thousands of this vessels were being executed off the assembly line everyday and when you see such great care and affection given by the craftsmen that created these pieces, well  it is just mind blowing.  The enameling is thick and luxurious to the touch, which was important for this vessel.  The trim is a deep deep ultramarine blue which could be mistaken for black.  This was a very expensive pigment during the war and again above and beyond the standard which would have been a cheaper black or lighter less expensive cobalt blue.  What makes Jones Company different from some other companies that produced urinals is that they did some extra steps in the manufacturing that made their products superior to their competitors and it showed up in their market share.  They were the "GM" of medical suppliers, and this was absolutely their "Cadillac".  This piece was a design from the early 1940's.  Later designs became more streamline, but this is the classic.  The  label which is in pristine condition makes this piece even more collectible.      

Unusual Attention to detail with Black Trim

Though at first glance this one appears to be the same as the previous entry I invite you to look closer.  Just as a note I will never post two urinals that are the same.  If they are posted they are different.  Though it is hard to see in the photo, the shape is slightly different.  Going into the body of the piece there is a flat area just below the throat(this is an unusual design element).  Note the different design in the handle in its shape and placement.  This piece is in a handsome and formal white with black trim (reminds me of a formal tux).  Also the diameter of the opening is larger than the last at 2".  Unfortunately there are no distinguishing marks that either date this piece or identify the maker.  That is too bad, because the craftsmanship is excellent.  I wish for the viewer to truly appreciate the complexity of design of these pieces.  These are metal and enameled, meaning that after they have been painstakingly formed, welded and ground to their unique shape,  they are  heated to 1000 degrees and a coating of glass is blown evenly over the hot metal inside and out.  When the glass cools the enamel forms.  This coating allows for thorough cleaning and sterilization.  It was the preferred manufactured technique for medical equipment  from the 1920's up to the 1950's(helps in dating the pieces), when plastics became the dominate material of choice.  I have never seen a urinal quite like this and it is one of my favorites even though some of the enamel has been chipped off on its rear. (Not shown)  I suspect the origin of this piece was European probably Austrian circa 1930's.    

Rare 1951 Enamelware, UK signed & dated

This enameled beauty comes from England circa 1951.  Yes it is actually dated and stamped on the bottom of the piece "James Fellows & Son"  W.O. Cat No. KF8931.  It is in excellent condition and hardly ever used.  The trim is a beautiful Cobalt blue.