What does compactum mean on a wardrobe listing?

It means the wardrobe combines hanging space with fitted storage, drawers, trays or shelves, in one carcass rather than being an empty hanging cupboard. The word became a general trade term for fitted wardrobes of this kind, and dealers here use it almost interchangeably with "wardrobe". Nine titles use "combination wardrobe" for the same thing.

Which wood is most common?

Mahogany, which names 135 titles. Walnut follows at 81, so between them they take the larger part of the titles that name a timber. Oak accounts for around 33 titles, ash 12 and pine 16. Beyond that the record throws up satin birch, pollard oak, birds eye maple, limed oak, burr elm, rosewood and Oregon pine, each turning up only occasionally.

How old are most compactums?

The dated field spans 1830 to 1930. Victorian is the largest single label at 97 listings, Edwardian second at 52, which between them cover the bulk of the dated record. After that come the 1920s at 30 and the 1930s at 24, with 24 more listings filed only as "19th Century". A handful of titles claim Georgian, Regency or William IV, but they stand alone against the Victorian-to-Deco bulk.

Are triple-door compactums the standard form?

They are the commonest. Triple appears in 86 titles and the exact phrase "triple wardrobe" in 71, a quarter of the category. Breakfront attaches to 34 titles, often to the triple form, so a three-door piece with a projecting centre is the shape you'll meet again and again. Two-door and four-door versions exist alongside it.

What sizes do they come in?

Wide. "Large" appears in 25 titles and "small" in eight, running from single-door cupboards up to breakfront four-door pieces. One miniature oak compactum is recorded, and it sits at the very bottom of the range. Corner-fitting examples appear twice.

Do compactums carry maker's names?

Rarely enough that only one name clears three dealers across the whole archive. Most are unattributed English case furniture. Where a name does appear it comes as a label or a stamp from a retailer, and dealers flag it in the title. Isolated listings name Scottish, Manchester, Newcastle or London retailers.