The commode has a rich history that dates back to ancient civilizations. The first known commodes were used by the ancient Greeks and Romans around 2000 BC.
These early commodes were often simple holes in the ground or stone seats that people used for personal hygiene. The Romans, however, took it to the next level by adding a system of pipes and drains to make waste disposal more efficient.
The commode's design evolved significantly over the centuries, with the introduction of the first flushing toilet in ancient China during the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). This innovation used a hand-pumped system to flush waste away.
The modern commode is a far cry from its ancient predecessors, with features like low-flow toilets and bidets becoming increasingly popular.
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History and Types
The commode has a rich history and was a staple piece of furniture in many rooms.
A commode typically stood against a pier between windows, often with a mirror glass on top or flanked by identical commodes.
Related reading: Western Commode
In the Louis Quinze style, commodes had surfaces shaped in three dimensions, known as bombé commodes.
Rectilinear neoclassical commodes, or Louis Seize, often had deep drawers or doors that tapered to a point, resembling a child's spinning top.
Some commodes had cabinets flanking the main section, making them commodes à encoignures.
Before the mid-eighteenth century, commodes were made in menuiserie, often from solid painted oak, walnut, or fruitwoods with carved decoration.
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The Cabinet
A commode is a low cabinet or chest of drawers, often with elaborate decoration and usually standing on cabriole legs or short feet.
It was a piece of antique furniture from the 18th century in France, where it was introduced as both decorative and useful.
Commodes were meant to stand against the wall and were wider than they were tall.
This provided convenient storage and also had a surface on top for placing additional items.
The top surface was often made of marble, and the commode was displayed prominently in the home.
It was well on its way to becoming a humble, yet useful, piece of furniture that it is today.
As time passed, the commode's design became more subdued, and by the late 19th century, it had become a purely functional piece of furniture, now referred to as a chest of drawers.
The Toilet
The term "commode" is often associated with a toilet, and it's a connection that dates back to the 19th century.
A night commode, a Victorian-style bedside cabinet, was used to store chamber pots and had a basin and pitcher on top for personal cleansing. This setup was a precursor to the modern bathroom.
In the 19th century, a chamber pot commode was considered a convenient solution for the middle of the night.
By the early 20th century, the term "commode" became synonymous with the porcelain toilet, which is the more common usage of the term today.
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