15 Gross, Gloomy, and Downright Weird Victorian Practices - History Collection

6. Death Portraiture for Pets

In the Victorian era, it was common to commission portraits of deceased pets, sometimes even photographing or painting them post-mortem. This practice showcased the growing sentimental value attached to animals and further blurred the line between human and animal mourning. For example, the painting “The Old Shepherd’s Chief Mourner” by Edwin Landseer depicts a faithful collie mourning its owner. Additionally, the sculpture “Bashaw” by Matthew Cotes Wyatt, created in 1831, is a lifesize marble depiction of a Newfoundland dog, reflecting the era’s appreciation for animal companions (en.wikipedia.org). These artworks highlight the deep emotional connections Victorians had with their pets.

7. Sin-Eating

In the Victorian era, sin-eaters were individuals hired to ritually consume bread or food placed on a deceased person’s body, symbolically absorbing their sins to ensure a peaceful afterlife. This practice, prevalent in parts of England, Scotland, and Wales, was believed to prevent the deceased from wandering as a restless spirit. The sin-eater would consume the bread and drink ale from a wooden bowl passed over the coffin, taking on the sins of the deceased. For their services, they received a small fee, often a coin worth a mere four English pence. This ritual was seen as a means to absolve the deceased’s sins, allowing their soul to rest in peace. The last recorded sin-eater was Richard Munslow, who died in 1906 in Ratlinghope, Shropshire (atlasobscura.com).

8. The Cult of Death Photography Studios

In the Victorian era, specialized photography studios offered custom settings for memorial photos, sometimes using props, painted eyes, or stands to pose the deceased. These studios became a subculture within photography, blending artistry with grieving. Some even advertised lifelike post-mortem photo retouching. The Metropolitan Museum of Art covers the artistry behind these studios (victorianweb.org).

9. ‘Fainting Rooms’ in Homes

In the Victorian era, some homes featured private ‘fainting rooms’ equipped with fainting couches, providing women a place to rest if their tight corsets caused dizziness or fainting. These rooms symbolized both restrictive fashion and the era’s focus on propriety. For more insights into these unusual household spaces, Mental Floss delves into the history of fainting couches (mentalfloss.com).

10. Taking Laxatives to Look Slender

In the Victorian era, women seeking a delicate silhouette often resorted to laxative-based remedies, including pills, tonics, and even arsenic mixtures, to maintain a trim figure. This practice posed significant health risks, as the use of such substances could lead to severe health complications. The Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia discusses body image practices and their consequences. (College of Physicians.org).

11. Memento Mori Rings and Brooches

Victorian-era memento mori jewelry, including rings and brooches, featured motifs like skulls, coffins, and symbolic engravings to remind wearers of mortality. These pieces often incorporated materials such as gold, enamel, and sometimes human hair, blending artistry with the era’s focus on piety and remembrance. The British Museum provides historical context and examples of these artifacts (britishmuseum.org).

12. Leech Therapy for Everything

In the Victorian era, physicians prescribed leeches for a wide range of ailments, from headaches to skin conditions. Leeches were believed to balance the body’s humors, a concept central to medical practices of the time. This widespread use led to a significant demand for leeches, resulting in their farming and even the construction of specialized leech houses to meet the need. The Science Museum delves into the medical fascination with leeches (nationalgeographic.com).

13. The Clutching Hand of the Séance

During the Victorian era, séances were popular gatherings where mediums claimed to communicate with the deceased. To enhance the illusion of contact, some mediums employed tricks involving ‘spirit hands’—fabricated hands that appeared to reach out to attendees in the darkened room. These performances blurred the line between belief and deception, captivating audiences with the spectacle of the supernatural. For a deeper exploration of these practices, Smithsonian Magazine delves into the spiritualist craze and the notorious tricks employed by mediums (smithsonianmag.com).

14. Lead-Based Home Decor and Children’s Toys

In the Victorian era, vibrant paints and glazed wallpapers often contained lead, making color-rich homes and nursery toys toxic. Parents prized such bright decor, unaware of its long-term health hazards, especially to children. Lead exposure can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems in children. For more information on the health risks associated with lead-based paints, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov).

15. Chimney Sweeps and ‘Climbing Boys’

In the Victorian era, children as young as five were employed as chimney sweeps, navigating narrow, soot-filled flues to clean chimneys. This hazardous work led to severe health issues, including respiratory diseases and physical deformities. The practice persisted due to high demand and lack of labor regulation. For a deeper exploration of this grim reality, BBC History delves into the lives of climbing boys (bbc.co.uk).

Conclusion

These 15 practices offer a window into Victorian sensibilities—a period where rapid progress coexisted with superstition, risk, and morbid curiosity. While many customs seem strange or even shocking now, they reveal not only the challenges people faced but also their inventive ways of coping with change and loss. Reflecting on these traditions reminds us how cultural norms shift, and what might once have been accepted or even admired can become a source of fascination or horror to later generations.