Antique Bedside Tables, Pot Cupboards, Night Commodes and Close Stools
CLOSE STOOLS, bason stands NIGHT COMMODES, dutch chest brass corners BEDSIDE TABLES, glass cut biscuit barroll 1900 POT CUPBOARDS
About 1700-1890s
Despite the existence of outside privies, chippendale mahogany sideboard chamber pots were generally used at night and various pieces of furniture were devised in the 18thC to conceal them. These ‘conveniences’ mostly became redundant when flushing water closets were perfected in the late 19thC. Many have subsequently had their innards removed.
STYLE AND APPEARANCE
The most common types seen today are:
Close, olbrich table necessary or night-stools. Made until about 1780. Generally a square box on feet with a hinged lid and carrying handles at side. Before 1700, antique clock with signature g.p often upholstered; alternatively oak with bun feet and iron handles. After 1700, william and mary chests of drawers walnut (and later mahogany) with brass handles and bracket feet. Dummy drawers on front.
Night table or ‘commode’, antique arm chair commode about 17401810. A squarish box raised on straight, gate leg rectangular long drop leaf table square legs with a cupboard for the pot or a cupboard above a commode seat sliding forward on hidden castors. The front legs split to allow Mahogany tray-top night commode with dummy drawer, 18th century blue and white transfer ware liverpool pottery about 1770.
movement and the pot was hidden by a deep front-rail or apron masquerading as one or two drawers. Generally a tray top, library table d shaped often with handles pierced in the raised sides. Tambour-front doors common around 1790.
Bedside tables, trestle table and baltimore about 1780 onwards. A small, corner cupboard values simple cupboard on tall, chippendale gentleman’s wardrobe press narrow, silver maker, holland aldwinckle & slater cigarette box legs, draw leaf table carved usually turned though sometimes tapering. They had a raised gallery on three sides and small knob handle. Usually mahogany, indian ivory walking sword sometimes satinwood. Often in pairs. Victorian examples heavier than Georgian; thicker legs and gallery; often redder mahogany. This type popular for late Victorian/Edwardian revival styles.
MATERIALS
Commonly mahogany; at various times oak, chinoserie cabinets wood bases antique walnut and satinwood.
CONSTRUCTION
Standard practices employed. Sliding seats generally moved on bearers. Mostly solid wood used; only occasionally veneer.
A, antique gothic figures carvings tray-top night commode with tambour-fronted cupboard, english mahagony tall dressers antique about 1770
B, pembroke antique pair mahogany tray-lop bedside table, victorian chair pearl inlaid about 1760, queen anne dining table weak , antique hanging corner whatnots C a Sheraton inlaid
mahogany bedside table about 1800 and D a Victorian burr walnut bedside cabinet, reproduction antique louis 14th chair about 1870.
VICTORIAN POT CUPBOARDS
Commonly tall and narrow, nantgarw china antique dealers on plinth base with single panelled door with wooden knob. Usually square-sectioned, desk and tallboy sometimes circular. Latter often had inset marble top, regency ironstone pottery value occasionally scalloped sides. Sometimes low with hinged top and double doors revealing seat. Mahogany or walnut. After about 1870, 19th century bed headbord more decorative, antique clawfoot table value with carved door panel, double wing chair shaped feet and gallery at back.
Fitted pots had turned circular wooden lids with a recessed wooden knob.
DECORATION
18thC: Minimal carving, campaign chair with wooden handles rare. Brass handles according to prevailing fashions. Later small brass knobs.
19thC: Regency period, whole wall antique bookcase sometimes restrained inlay. After about 1870 only, chippendale rounded higher back chairs panels of carved decoration in prevailing Gothic, art nouveau sideboard Renaissance and 18thC revival styles. Sometimes additional carving on uprights, antique mahogany end table paw feet friezes and galleries. Small knobs until about 1820, double ended settee thereafter larger wooden knobs universal. Metal drop handles after about 1870.
FINISH
Wax polish.
RELATIVE VALUES
Conventional bedside tables may be priced in thousands, oriental antique chair but ‘night tables’ and commodes usually less, wood inlay board game table with pedestal turns even when 18thC. Original commode fittings nowadays a bonus. Pairs command much higher prices.
COMMODE CONVERSIONS
Commode chairs, 19th century gateleg table which looked like other chairs of their day, standing mahogany carved cheval mirror but had deep, elizabethan period,pictures of a bookcase,table,window shaped aprons around the seat to conceal the pot, flemish walnut furniture 17c 18c were made in large numbers in both sophisticated and country styles. Because they sell better standard chairs, tuttle silversmiths and cocktail shaker many have had their seats replaced and their aprons removed. Similarly ‘commode chests’, how much is a round antique pedastal table worth? made to look like small chests of drawers, antique beechwood hanging corner cabinet have been turned into standard chests of drawers, antique leg design their small size making them particularly valuable. On any smallerthan-average chests therefore, curved dining table slope check the interior carefully for signs of alteration.
Commode showing interior fittings and wooden pot pulls out from side.
Popular design for mass-produced Victorian pot-cupboard, antique carved beechwood oval table mahogany with marble top.