The Lost Code

Pitcher, Soapdish, and Towel

Green-glazed earthenware, linen
H. 30 cm (pitcher)
Diam. 18.5 cm (soapdish)
77 cm x 40 cm (towel)
Various containers were used to hold water for household needs. Here, the water pitcher goes with a soapdish and hand-woven linen towel. To make “country soap,” pioneers burned offal to extract the potash salts contained in its ashes. The ashes were spread out to be washed in the rain. After the potash salts dissolved in the rainwater, the water was collected and boiled with fat in a large cauldron to produce potash soap. Soap use did not become widespread until after 1850. The earthenware objects are reproductions of 18th century French pieces, most of which are preserved in Québec archeological collections.
Manoir Mauvide-Genest collection

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