Sarreguemines Flore plate

This is a fascinating toothpaste pot, circa 1880.

It once contained Toothpaste flavored with Cherry, 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 using Cherry extract to make the paste a bit more palatable.

The attractive lid bears the name of the product, Cherry Tooth Paste ~ For beautifying & preserving the Teeth and Gums.  Patronized by the Queen.

The pieces are in great condition.  Normal age crazing and a few chips

3 1/4” (8cm) wide x 1 1/2” (4.5cm) tall. 

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!