Washing Dolly

This Victorian Washing Dolly replica is a beautifully crafted piece that recreates the traditional tool used in the Victorian era for hand-washing clothes. Made from solid pine and finished with an antique effect, this washing dolly is a functional piece of history, ideal for collectors, educators, or history enthusiasts.

Key Features:

• Material: Constructed from solid pine for durability and authenticity, with a finished antique effect that mimics the appearance of a Victorian-era tool.
• Size: Approximately 80cm tall, making it a realistic size for use as a decorative piece or a functional tool in re-enactments.
• Design: The dolly features the traditional long handle and cylindrical barrel, with grooves designed for pounding clothes to remove dirt and stains, which was a common method before the advent of washing machines.

Historical Significance:

The washing dolly was widely used during the Victorian era in households across Britain and beyond. Before the introduction of electric washing machines, clothes were manually pounded in large tubs of water to clean them. The dolly was used to agitate the water and scrub the fabric, making it an essential tool in Victorian domestic life. This replica gives insight into the labor-intensive washing methods that were common before industrialisation changed domestic chores.

Educational Purpose:

• Victorian Domestic Life: A valuable resource for teaching about everyday life during the Victorian era, illustrating how people managed household chores before modern conveniences.
• Hands-On Learning: Ideal for schools and history groups, the dolly can be used to demonstrate the differences between past and present laundry methods, offering tactile learning opportunities.
• Social History: Provides a way to explore the role of women and children in domestic labour during the Victorian period, and how technology and social changes evolved over time.

Ideal For:

• Classroom Use: A fantastic tool for demonstrating Victorian domestic practices, the evolution of household chores, and the early stages of industrialisation.
• History Enthusiasts: A unique piece for those interested in Victorian history or domestic life, providing a tangible link to the past.
• Reenactors: Perfect for Victorian reenactments, offering authenticity to portrayals of everyday life in the 19th century.

This Victorian Washing Dolly is a functional and decorative reproduction, providing an engaging way to explore the history of domestic life and the labour-intensive tasks of the Victorian era.