FA000732 – Portrait of Sake Dean Mahomed, Thomas Mann Baynes, c1810; Regency

Part of the One Minute Wonders trail, a story written by one of our volunteers, inspired by objects on display.

By Gillian Ditch

I see a painting of a contented man with a smile. He is wearing the fashionable clothes of the era and beautiful rings.

This is a painting of a successful entrepreneur who settled in the area and helped to popularise steam baths and shampooing in fashionable Brighton.

When he first opened his steam and vapour baths, I wonder how he encourage the fashionable set to visit at a time when few had bathrooms?

The Prince Regent was interested in health treatments such as bathing; this attracted others to explore the benefits of steam baths and shampooing.

A self-portrait was clearly a sign of success for a Regency businessman. Many future Brighton based successful entrepreneurs have followed in his footsteps.