Close Stool thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Close Stool

1660-1680 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown (maker)
Place of origin
England (made)

Rectangular stool with panelled sides, ring-turned legs and stretchers. Hinged top, opening to reveal two compartments, one for the commode seat (now missing), the other shallow and narrow.


Object details

Categories
Furniture
Woodwork
Interiors
Object type
Close stool
Materials and techniques
oak
Oak
Frame Construction
Brief description
Close stool, English, 1660-1680, oak
Physical description
Rectangular stool with panelled sides, ring-turned legs and stretchers. Hinged top, opening to reveal two compartments, one for the commode seat (now missing), the other shallow and narrow.
Dimensions
  • Height: 55.9cm (Note: measurement converted from department files)
  • Width: 55.9cm (Note: measurement converted from department files)
  • Depth: 45.7cm (Note: measurement converted from department files)
Credit line
Bequeathed by J.C. Padwick
Object history
Similar stool featured in Antiques Trade Gazette, 14th February 2009, Issue 1877 pp.8.

Publications on close stools:

Lambton, Lucinda, Temples of Convenience, (London: Gordon Piasel Galvery Ltd. 1999)

Symonds, R.W., ‘Of Jakes and Close Stools. Their Place in English Social History’, Part I, Connoisseur, Vol. CXXIX (May 1952), pp. 86-91

Williams, Robert, From Close Stools to Patent Water Closest, Historical Essay for the Exhibition ‘Commodes, Night Tables, Close Stools and Portable Water Closets’ (W.Stockbridge and Sons Ltd, 1978)

Williams, Robert, Furniture of Easement, Part 2, Antique Collecting, Vol. 13, No. 11,( April 1979), pp. 11-13.
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
W.3-1958

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Record createdMarch 31, 2006
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O122477/close-stool-unknown/
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