Close stool

Pot commode
Mahogany, pine, brass, ceramic, iron
c. 1750

Pair of pot commodes
Mahogany, pine, brass, ceramic, iron
c. 1750

Status

Not on view

Datec. 1750

Geography Made - England

Medium/TechniqueMahogany (primary), unidentified softwood (shelves and supporting glue blocks), oak (case glue blocks), brass

DimensionsOverall (H x W x D): 17 1/8 in. x 24 1/8 in. x 17 1/2 in. (43.5 cm x 61.28 cm x 44.45 cm)

Credit LineGift: Jess and Grace Pavey Fund, 2004

Object numberM-4375

DescriptionDesign:
Pentagonal close-stool or pot commode with hinged, astragal-molded lid, veneered front with three false drawers marked out by applied beading, a coved base molding, and straight bracket feet with cusped ogee knee brackets. Each of the false drawer fronts features a brass-lined, false keyhole and a single brass pull at center. Below the lid is a removable upper shelf with a circular cut-out, and below this is a fixed lower shelf with a circular cut-out.

Case Construction:
The lid is constructed from two boards, one narrow and one wide, hinged to the case on the proper right back side. The case is dovetailed together; those at the back joint are visible, the others are hidden by veneer on the front and glue blocks from behind. At each interior corner, a vertical glue block supports the join (that at the back is missing). The lower shelf is glued inside the case near the top and is secured with a series of horizontal glue blocks above and below it. The upper shelf or cover rests on top of the upper glue blocks and is composed of two, spline-joined boards. A triangular shelf with a circular hole drilled at its center is fitted into the back corner of the case at the level of the upper shelf. The base molding is glued to the lower edge of the case sides. The bracket feet are glued to the underside of the molding and have a three-part support consisting of two horizontal glue blocks and a single, quarter-round vertical glue block. The horizontal blocks are shaped to a point along their center backs and chamfered on one end.

Published ReferencesChristie’s, Important English Furniture (London: Christie’s, 2004), lot 121

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