Maker: Rogers  Pattern: Athens

These oval pots go under various names, but their purpose was singular. Today most often called a bourdaloue supposedly so named after Pere Louis Bourdaloue (1632-1704) a Jesuit preacher at the court of Louis XIV, whose long sermons left the ladies of the court in some discomfort. However, the first known bourdaloue was of Dutch delftware and made about 1710, so this explanation appears to be apocryphal. They are also known as coach pots and crinoline slippers.
They were designed to offer particular convenience for ladies forced to endure long coach journies, operas as well as church services. This was at a time when ladies' lower undergarments had two legs and were not joined, so these pots were relatively easy to use. The method of subsequent disposal is not covered in the published literature. This example is quite small and is by John Rogers & Son of Longport, Staffordshire active 1815 to 1842 and decorated with their Athens pattern, which is a series of romantic scenes with classical overtones.
Backstamp: blue printed plain blue rectangle with Warranted Stone China within. Impressed 7.
A few minor points on condition, there is a short stress line in the clay from the firing and a small round "kiss" mark in the glaze, where it has touched another item in the kiln. Overall excellent condition and especially good for a bourdaloue, which are often found much used.

Dimensions: 24 cm x 11 cm 12 cm high at handle / 9.5 ins x 4.25 ins 5 ins high at handle