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Bidet

Period1800 - 1825
MediumMahogany, and hard pine
Dimensions18.5 × 10.5 × 19.25 in. (47 × 26.7 × 48.9 cm)
ClassificationsUnusual and Specialized Furniture
Credit LineGift of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, 1941
Object number2017.711
DescriptionA simply made bidet consisting of an original metal pan housed in a rectangular frame on four square tapered legs. The lid, which hinges to the back rail of the piece, has a molded edge on all four sides. The inner corners of the legs have been rounded to accommodate the pan. Two eye hooks on the front rail that are old but probably not original allowed the bidet to be closed securely. The hinges have been replaced.
Curatorial RemarksMany early nineteenth century bidets have a copper, tin or ceramic pan with an indented center housed in the rectangular frame. This example has always had a rectangular pan with rounded corners.
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