Child's Commode Chair
1701-1800 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Until modern ideas about food developed in the 1920s, many children had a very monotonous diet. This was high in carbohydrates and low in fresh fruit and meat, and sometimes caused constipation, which was promptly treated with a laxative. Popular naturally occurring laxatives for children and adults were castor oil, prunes, senna and rhubarb. Chemical potions included brimstone (sulphur) mixed with treacle, and calomel, a compound of mercury and chloride.
This child’s tub-shaped commode armchair is in a rustic style. The back has two pierced circular holes so that the chair can be easily hung up or carried. The seat is cut in a concave curve, with a large circular hole at the centre to take a chamber pot or bowl. The chair being tub-shaped, the legs are formed by cutting shallow-lobed trefoil arches into the centre of the back and sides, and a cinquefoil arch at the front.
This child’s tub-shaped commode armchair is in a rustic style. The back has two pierced circular holes so that the chair can be easily hung up or carried. The seat is cut in a concave curve, with a large circular hole at the centre to take a chamber pot or bowl. The chair being tub-shaped, the legs are formed by cutting shallow-lobed trefoil arches into the centre of the back and sides, and a cinquefoil arch at the front.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Oak |
| Brief description | Child's commode chair of oak made in the UK between 1701 and 1800 |
| Physical description | Child's tub-shaped commode armchair, of polished oak, in a rustic style. The back, which has two circular holes pierced in it to facilitate carrying or hanging up, has its crest cut in piecrust shapes; the sides have shallow shoulders descending to upward-curving arms, and the seat is cut in a concave curve, with a large circular hole at the centre to take a chamberpot or bowl. The chair being tub-shaped, the legs are formed by cutting shallow-lobed trefoil arches into the centre of the back and sides, and a cinquefoil arch at the front; the back of the chair is waisted, with the leg panel at an angle to the back. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Bought at Chelsea Antiques Fair |
| Summary | Until modern ideas about food developed in the 1920s, many children had a very monotonous diet. This was high in carbohydrates and low in fresh fruit and meat, and sometimes caused constipation, which was promptly treated with a laxative. Popular naturally occurring laxatives for children and adults were castor oil, prunes, senna and rhubarb. Chemical potions included brimstone (sulphur) mixed with treacle, and calomel, a compound of mercury and chloride. This child’s tub-shaped commode armchair is in a rustic style. The back has two pierced circular holes so that the chair can be easily hung up or carried. The seat is cut in a concave curve, with a large circular hole at the centre to take a chamber pot or bowl. The chair being tub-shaped, the legs are formed by cutting shallow-lobed trefoil arches into the centre of the back and sides, and a cinquefoil arch at the front. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | B.26-1994 |
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| Record created | April 19, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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