What is it called?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Ginnygirl64, May 17, 2019.

  1. Ginnygirl64

    Ginnygirl64 Member

    I cannot find anything even similar to this. Name that furniture! 20190516_102701.jpg 20190516_102810.jpg 20190516_102737.jpg
     
    Christmasjoy and i need help like this.
  2. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    Commode? the real deal, to conceal your chamber pot... ?
     
  3. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    That's what it looks like to me too, or wash stand with commode compartment, something that way.
     
  4. Ginnygirl64

    Ginnygirl64 Member

    Geez, never even crossed my mind!
    Thanx!
     
  5. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    Nice drawer for towels and toiletries...

    Usually chamber pots were under the bed (I believe I read here) but this looks like a nice modular kit for a wash stand, ie. washbowl and pitcher + towels etc. + chamber pot

    Commode or commodious basically means convenience
     
  6. Ginnygirl64

    Ginnygirl64 Member

    Very interesting and makes a lot of sense as well. How old do you think?
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.
  7. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    Well....... I don't pretend to know about chamber pot history, but it could be fun for you to research :)

    Maybe @gregsglass or @verybrad can speak to the actual furniture style - I'm thinking French?? (guessing)

    Welcome @Ginnygirl64!
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.
  8. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    That looks like 1940s - 1970s to me. Well past the commode era.

    Is the drawer broken? Is it made to pull out like a regular drawer? Looks like it drops down in the front about 4 inches.

    Is it possible to take a picture looking straight in rather than looking down in.
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.
  9. Rosalind

    Rosalind New Member

    I'd say this is a "pot cupboard" rather than a commode. A commode looks like a chair with a deep seat, then the top of the seat lifts up to reveal a ceramic (usually thick earthenware) pot, and you sit on it while it's in the chair. A pot cupboard holds the chamber pot which has to be removed to use it. I'd need to see how the drawer is made to guess its age, but it looks early 20th century to me.
     
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  10. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    It looks like a wash stand to me, but it also looks later than 'wash stand period'.
    Maybe from a region with no running water?
     
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  11. Ginnygirl64

    Ginnygirl64 Member

    I will try the sites you have suggested.
    Thanx
    FYI I have looked over hundreds of commode cabinets, furniture etc.. but to no avail.
     
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  12. Ginnygirl64

    Ginnygirl64 Member

    Yes, regular drawer. I pulled it out a ways, to show this. I will take that pic. Excellent idea.
    Thanx
     
  13. pearlsnblume

    pearlsnblume Well-Known Member

    This is not my area, but my grandmother had a set of very similar ones that she used as night tables in her bedroom.
     
    Bronwen, Any Jewelry and scoutshouse like this.
  14. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    Surprised to read this on Wikipedia:

    The introduction of indoor flush toilets started to displace chamber pots, in the 19th century but they remained common until the mid-20th century. The alternative to using the chamber pot was a long cold walk to the outhouse in the middle of the night

    I'm not married to pot cupboard, but what's another explanation for that odd door?

    Here's one with marble interior. Which makes sense, being more sanitary. Most are shaped like this.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2019
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  15. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Towels, for the wash stand.:)
     
    Bronwen likes this.
  16. Ginnygirl64

    Ginnygirl64 Member

    Now, that's a thought.
     
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  17. Ginnygirl64

    Ginnygirl64 Member

  18. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Think we should tell Ginnygirl that we are not usually so potty-mouthed with newcomers! :)
     
  19. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    :hilarious::hilarious::hilarious::hilarious::hilarious:
     
  20. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Welcome Ginny!! :cat:
     
    Bronwen and scoutshouse like this.
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