wash-ball

In the first place, there was never a wash-ball; in the next place, not a napkin nor a towel was in its proper place; then the tea-things were forgot; and as to spoons, not one could I find.

Camilla 2008

With this view he endeavoured to laugh, but in spite if his teeth, broke out in a whimper, took up his wash-ball and pewter-pot, scrubbed my beard with the one, and discharged the other upon my face.

The Adventures of Roderick Random 2004

This argillaceous earth mixed with mustard oil is locally used for clay and when rose-leaves and perfumes are used, it makes a tolerable wash-ball.

Arabian nights. English Anonymous 1855

Sponge saw all this, and turned to see whether Thornton's clumsy, wash-ball seat, would be able to control the fractious spirit of the horse.

Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour Robert Smith Surtees 1833

In the first place, there was never a wash-ball; in the next place, not a napkin nor

Camilla: or, A Picture of Youth 1796

Lady B---- entreats that you would come here and spend the Christmas holidays; she has sent for two Highland bards to entertain you, and I have a wash-ball and a stick of pomatum much at your service: we are all, thank God, in general pretty clear of the Itch just now, and most of us not near so lousy as we used to be, so I think you may venture.

Boswell's Correspondence with the Honourable Andrew Erskine, and His Journal of a Tour to Corsica James Boswell 1767

With this view he endeavoured to laugh, but in spite if his teeth, broke out in a whimper, took up his wash-ball and pewter-pot, scrubbed my beard with the one, and discharged the other upon my face.

The Adventures of Roderick Random Tobias George Smollett 1746

(Linda Baumgarten, curator of textiles and costumes at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, email to the editor, 5/4/2007.) [9.3] According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a wash-ball is "a ball of soap (sometimes perfumed or medicated) used for washing the hands and face, and for shaving ...."

Inventory of Robert Carter's Estate, November [1733] 1733