Lot 596: 19th Century Primitive Spindle Back Wood Commode Side Chair
A 19th-century primitive vernacular commode side chair constructed from a dark-stained hardwood. The chair features a spindle-back design with two ring-turned outer uprights and four plain cylindrical inner spindles supporting a thick, shaped top rail. The solid plank seat includes a large centrally positioned circular aperture, characteristic of a commode chair intended for use with a chamber pot. The structure is supported by turned legs joined by side stretchers, utilising traditional peg and dowel construction. A small orange rectangular adhesive label is affixed to the top rail with the handwritten numbers 596, and a small white rectangular adhesive label is also on the top rail reading 2 2.
Condition report:
The chair exhibits significant surface wear and patina consistent with age and utility. There is substantial loss of finish and rubbing to the edges of the top rail and the front edge of the seat (photo 1). General surface scratches, dings, and dark staining are visible throughout the timber (photo 1). A faint circular indentation surrounds the central cutout on the seat (photo 1). Minor drying cracks or shakes are present in the wood grain of the seat plank (photo 1). Visible gaps appear at some joints, though the structure remains generally intact (photo 1).
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