What is a tambour door?

A tambour door is made from vertical wooden slats attached to a flexible fabric backing. This allows the door to slide smoothly around a curved cabinet corner. Cabinetmakers used this technique to conceal storage spaces without needing clearance for swinging doors.

How do I spot a Georgian piece?

Look for timber selection, traditional joinery methods, and period-specific proportions. Mahogany and fruitwood were standard choices during the eighteenth century. Examine the secondary woods inside the drawers and cabinet carcass to confirm the period construction.

Were these used as commodes?

Many eighteenth-century bedside cabinets functioned as night commodes, containing a concealed space for a chamber pot. Over time, many of these interiors were converted into standard shelving or left empty for general bedside storage.