During archaeological excavations below Bath Assembly Rooms we've discovered a fascinating collection of objects that give a glimpse into the lives of the fashionable visitors that flocked to Bath during the 18th century.
Beauty, hair and dining in the 18th century
A number of Georgian artifacts have been recovered from under the Assembly Rooms during excavation works as part of the wider project to restore Bath Assembly Rooms. Amoungst the finds were items that reveal the human stories of beauty, status and dining that took place in one of Britain's most social cities.
A remarkably well-preserved porcelain ointment pot (dating from 1730-1800) once held creams or salves made from oils, waxes and floral waters. Whether used to soften skin, protect against the elements or maintain the pale complexion that was the height of fashion, the pot is a reminder that getting ready for a night out was just as important 250 years ago as it is today.
Few modest-looking objects capture the glamour and extravagance of Georgian big hair days quite like wig curlers. These small clay cylinders dating from the 1750s were discovered, having once been used to create the elaborate curls and towering hairstyles that defined fashionable society. Wigs and hairpieces were an essential part of dressing for an evening at the Assembly Rooms, where appearance mattered and visitors came to see and be seen.
One of the curlers is especially interesting because it bears the initials of the maker "WA" – a less common set of initials for those found in southern England.
Animal bone remains recovered during the work have revealed something of the menu enjoyed by visitors to Georgian Bath. Archaeologists identified sheep, goat, cattle, pig, goose, turkey and even cod among the remains.
While many of these foods were common in 18th-century dining, turkey and goose were relatively expensive choices, hinting at the lavish suppers and special occasions hosted in the city's grandest social spaces.
Wine flowed freely in the Assembly Rooms and one discovery offers a tantalising glimpse into the world of Bath's wealthy visitors.
Found within the former cellar where alcohol was stored for guests, a fragment of wine bottle (dating from 1760-1860) is embossed with the name "DOLTON". The inscription suggests it may have belonged to a prosperous patron who had bottles marked so that wine merchants could refill and return them between visits.
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Before the smoking ban
Long before smoking was proven bad for health, it was a familiar part of social life for all classes in Georgian Bath, and the excavations uncovered dozens of clay tobacco pipe fragments linked to one of the city's most successful pipe-making families.
More than 50 pipe fragments were identified as the works of pipe maker Robert Carpenter and his son, John Carpenter. The number of Carpenter pipes found highlights both the popularity of tobacco in Bath and the important role local craftsmen played in supplying the city's residents and visitors. The Carpenter family dominated the pipe-making market in Bath up to the early 1760s, operating workshops that served a growing and increasingly fashionable city.
Although almost all the fragments found were brought in from elsewhere in the city to raise the ground level during construction of the building, they are typical of the pipes smoked in and around the Assembly Rooms. They are a vivid reminder of the sociable atmosphere that surrounded Bath's fashionable season, where conversation, gaming, dining and entertainment all played their part.
The Victorians who followed the Georgians also left their mark on the Assembly Rooms.
Among the most striking discoveries were fragments of a decorative serving platter featuring Greek-inspired motifs, musical instruments and quivers of arrows. The design has been identified as Minton & Co's 'Trophy' pattern, first registered in 1867.
Minton was one of Britain's most prestigious pottery manufacturers and this was far from everyday tableware. The elegant design hints at the scale and sophistication of Victorian banquets, receptions and celebrations held in the Assembly Rooms long after the Georgian era had passed.
Find out more about the Bath Assembly Rooms project and how we're working with partners and the local community to develop an exciting and relevant future for the Bath Assembly Rooms. We want to reveal the stories of the building and Georgian society as well as explore its role in twenty-first century Bath.
Read more about 'Reconnecting the Rooms' a project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which aims to bring people together in new ways. Discovering untold stories of the people of Georgian Bath and connecting communities today with its heritage.
