Walnut rectangular stool with drop-in seat
Identifier
FPF039
Title
Walnut rectangular stool with drop-in seat
Date
1890-1910
Description
A walnut rectangular stool with an upholstered drop-in seat, cabriole legs and cross stretchers.
Full Description
This walnut stool has a rectangular seat frame with a moulded edge retaining the upholstered drop-in seat. The four legs have baluster turnings at the top, square cut cabriole legs with pronounced knees and a beaded outline, terminating in scroll feet. The legs are united by cross stretchers of broken serpentine form. All the features of the stool are consistent with styles of the early 18th century; drop-in seats first appear on chairs in around 1700; this form of cabriole leg is seen on chairs and tables from around 1710; and cross-stretchers are recorded in the Royal Household accounts from the 1690s and remained fashionable until around 1715 (Bowett, 2009).
However, although this appears to be an early 18th century stool, close inspection reveals it was made in the late 19th or early 20th century. The construction of the seat frame and the applied moulded edge are not consistent with typical joiners’ work of the period. The detailing of the legs is somewhat over-finished and the colour and patination is contrived rather than genuinely old. It is likely this stool was made to deceive, a practice which was not unusual at the time, when the demand for antiques outstripped supply. The stool was bought by Frederick Parker at a price which would indicate he assumed it was an 18th century antique.
However, although this appears to be an early 18th century stool, close inspection reveals it was made in the late 19th or early 20th century. The construction of the seat frame and the applied moulded edge are not consistent with typical joiners’ work of the period. The detailing of the legs is somewhat over-finished and the colour and patination is contrived rather than genuinely old. It is likely this stool was made to deceive, a practice which was not unusual at the time, when the demand for antiques outstripped supply. The stool was bought by Frederick Parker at a price which would indicate he assumed it was an 18th century antique.
Condition
The solid wood mouldings to the seat are badly split due to drying and shrinkage; they have been glued to a supporting frame and this has prevented their natural movement.
The drop-in seat frame is of the same period, with webbing supporting the stuffing and a faded red brocade cover.
The drop-in seat frame is of the same period, with webbing supporting the stuffing and a faded red brocade cover.
Materials
Walnut.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 43
W. 50
D. 43
W. 50
D. 43
Parker Numbers
Plastic label inside seat rail: OM 1687.
Provenance
Purchased by Frederick Parker & Sons in 1914 for £5.0.0
Notes
See Adam Bowett, Early Georgian Furniture, 1715-1740, Antiques Collectors Club, 2009, pp.144-156.
A similar stool was sold at Christie’s, King Street, London on 9th March 2000, lot 14.
A similar stool was sold at Christie’s, King Street, London on 9th March 2000, lot 14.
