Commode

Object Name:

Commode

Object ID:

1982.025.02

Place of Origin:

Portsmouth, NH (probably)

Date:

circa 1800

Description:

Commode or closestool, historically known as a "Night Table." Mahogany, hardwood veneers, and pine secondary wood. When closed, the commode resembles a rectangular cabinet with an upper drawer and two doors below; the drawer and doors are simulated. By pulling the front drawer pull up, the cabinet top opens upward, revealing a seat with a hole, as well as armrests. When opened, what had been the top of the cabinet now forms a seat back. The seat is removable to reveal an enameled bucket.
Top attached with two brass hinges; faux drawer front is attached to the top with two hinges (appear to be replacements). Faux drawer front has an oval of figured mahogany veneer surrounded by a line of string inlay. The remainder is birdseye maple veneer edged with ebony string inlay. In the center of the oval is a lion-shaped drawer pull (replacement) with a pendant ring.
The cabinet top is a solid piece of mahogany. The front edge of the top is veneered with mahogany and string inlay. The rear edge is bevelled to form the seat back when open. There are two sets of holes on the inside of the top where the screws from the lion drawer pull can fit into. The lower half of the cabinet front has two squares of figured mahogany veneer surrounded by string inlay, surrounded by a band of birdseye maple veneer; these two squares simulate the look of cabinet doors.
The bottom of the case has another band of birdseye maple veneer with string inlay above and below; this band is on the front and sides of the case. The feet are French-style; skirts on cabinet front and sides. Skirts are serpentine; center of front skirt carved in demi-lune shape. There a numerous glue blocks supporting the skirts on all sides.
Cabinet sides are mahogany. Brass handles on both sides are bail handles with oval nut plates. The cabinet back is made of an upper panel of mahogany, and a lower panel of pine. Back panels are dovetailed into case.
The interior features include arm rests and a seat, both mahogany. The armresets form a semi-circle around the case interior. Convex molding glue blocks support the arm rests from underneath. Right armrest is broken. A removable mahogany seat with a large hole cutout sits on top of a pine plank, which also has a large hole. Pine plank also has two side grooves to help with lifting out the pail. The pine seat is supported by numerous glue blocks. Mahogany seat and pine seat are both cracked.
Bucket appears to be modern, iron with enamelled greenish gray splatter finish. Manufacturing stamp on bottom of bucket: " L & G MFG CO".

Material:

Wood
Mahogany
Pine
Enamel

Dimensions:

H-26.25 W-22.25 D-18 inches

Provenance:

Purchased by NHHS at Southeby's auction, April 13, 1982 (item #256). Consigned to auction by Joseph Keown (Glen Ellyn, IL), who collected Northeastern New England Federal furniture, 1970s-1982.
Keown said that he acquired this piece and a chest at the auction of the estate of the Haven family (of Portsmouth, NH); this piece is believed to have originally belonged to Henry Haven and descended through the Haven family until acquired by Keown. The Sotheby's auction catalog states that this piece "descended in the Pierce family of Portsmouth, New Hampshire," but that is now believed to be an error.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase

People:

Keown, Joseph, Haven, Henry (1768-1823)