English Regency period Hawkins portable water closet. Mahogany cabinet with hinged lid, opens to reveal a hinged wooden seat with circular opening, over a blue and white Staffordshire bowl. The ceramic bowl with hinged bottom is mounted to a grain painted tin collar, which fits into a removable slop bucket. The bowl features a cartouche with Royal arms and reads: "By his Majesty's Royal Letters Patent granted to S. Hawkins for an improvement upon Water Closets, No. 167 Fleet Street" and features pictures of each major element of the toilet, labeled with its terminology; the hinged bottom of the bowl also features the English Royal coat of arms and the Hawkins name. The bowl is also transfer-decorated with pastoral scenes of life among the gentry, including horseback riding, shooting, a manor house with lake and swans. The rim is bordered in grape vines and leaves. A copper lined cistern cabinet sits to the left side of the cabinet and has a brass pull and a brass pump mechanism, with a small hinged opening for pouring in water. History: In 1821 Englishman Steven Hawkins applied for and received letters patent for a water closet. It appears that the water cistern sent water through a short pipe into the bowl and the weight of the water forced contents down the bucket. The bucket could be removed as needed to empty the contents. A rare and interesting historical example of a forerunner to the modern toilet. England, circa 1821. Private Nashville collection. Overall dimensions 21"H x 21" W x 18"D; bowl 11 1/2" diameter. Condition: Overall very good condition, interior contents intact.