Description:
High-style commodes such as this example are rare survivals of a once common form. Documentary evidence (cf. Ebenezer Hinsdale Williams papers) indicates that they were considered acceptable as dining furniture. The EH Williams 1838 probate inventory listed: "1 Night Cabinet ... 2.00" in the dining room of the house. Although it has lost its history, this commode in the Classical taste extends Historic Deerfield's representation of furnishings specifically designed to accommodate bodily functions and to facilitate habits of personal hygiene. The upper front panel, edged with bead molding and inset with a rectangular band of mahogany and satinwood inlay to resemble a drawer front, is hinged to the top, and the top is hinged to the case. When the top opens, the front panel lifts and swings back, revealing a horseshoe shaped arm rest attached to the case sides, above a seat with center hole large enough to accommodate a chamber pot placed on the floor of the enclosed bottom portion of the case. The perimeter of the stationary front panel of the lower case is edged with bead molding and inset with two symetrical rectangular bands of mahogany and satinwood inlay to simulate cupboard doors. The feet and scalloped aprons are cut from boards that are glued to the bottom of the case. The back is nailed into rabbets in the sides and butted and nailed to the bottom. The glue bock on the bottom of the case, bottom board, and seat are white pine. The proper left bracket of the foot is mahogany.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2004.1 |
