Stool thumbnail 1
Stool thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 58, Bromley-by-Bow Room

Stool

1580-1625 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
Stools were perhaps the most common form of seating and were found in large numbers in any house. Sometimes they were upholstered en suite with the bed, chairs and curtains of a bedchamber. They were, however, reserved for people lower down the hierarchy than those entitled to a chair. Randle Holme's Academy of Armory (1688) contains a table of everyday objects. They include a 'joynt stoole', made up of a wooden seat set on four legs; an ordinary stool covered with upholstery, so more expensive; and a 'turned stoole', consisting of a triangular wooden seat placed just below the tops of three rounded or turned legs.

Materials & Making
The legs of this stool are turned and decorated with grooves, made by a gouge or scraper. They are linked to each other by stretchers, whose tenons (pared-down protrusions) slot into mortises (squared holes). The rails immediately beneath the seat are slotted into a groove on the inside of the leg and held in position by dowels or wooden pegs. The seat is fixed to the frame by means of dowels.

Time
These stools were often used with the 'drawer' table that became popular around 1600. This kind of table had leaves that could be 'drawn' or pulled out so as to expand to the required length. With such a table, a variable number of stools could be used, whereas the bench or form was of a fixed length.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Oak, turned and joined
Brief description
Stool, English, 1580-1625, oak
Physical description
Stool. Joined and turned oak. Plain rectangular tops above plain frame with shaped lower edging. Fluted tapering legs connected by plain stretchers.
Dimensions
  • Height: 57cm
  • Width: 48.3cm
  • Depth: 29.2cm
Gallery label
  • W.46 & A-1946 PAIR OF STOOLS ENGLISH; early 17th century Oak, turned and carved Such pairs are often called 'coffin stools' as they may have served to support a coffin. These examples are of exceptional elegance. Given by Brigadier W. E. Clark, C.M.G., D.S.O. through the National Art-Collections Fund.(pre October 2000)
  • British Galleries: Stools had many uses as seats and small tables. Their hard wooden seats might be softened with loose cushions.(27/03/2003)
Credit line
Given by Brigadier W. E. Clark CMG, DSO through Art Fund
Object history
At one time in Horeham Hall and Debden Hall, both in Essex.
Stool, gift of Brig. Clark

Notes from R.P. 45/233

6/2/32 Minute paper, Ralph Edwards
outlines Clark's bequest proposal and reports that "the bulk" of his collection has been bought from Messrs Greenwood of Harrogate, "well known North Country dealers"

4/9/46 letter, Clark to Edwards
enclosed a list of objects available to the Museum. Among them "A pair of early 17th century oak stools with shaped underframing and tapering fluted legs. 1'10 1/2" high, the tops 1'7" x 11 1/2""

The Gift form
Lists as "English, about 1600"
Production
Made in England, possibly in the south-east
Summary
Object Type
Stools were perhaps the most common form of seating and were found in large numbers in any house. Sometimes they were upholstered en suite with the bed, chairs and curtains of a bedchamber. They were, however, reserved for people lower down the hierarchy than those entitled to a chair. Randle Holme's Academy of Armory (1688) contains a table of everyday objects. They include a 'joynt stoole', made up of a wooden seat set on four legs; an ordinary stool covered with upholstery, so more expensive; and a 'turned stoole', consisting of a triangular wooden seat placed just below the tops of three rounded or turned legs.

Materials & Making
The legs of this stool are turned and decorated with grooves, made by a gouge or scraper. They are linked to each other by stretchers, whose tenons (pared-down protrusions) slot into mortises (squared holes). The rails immediately beneath the seat are slotted into a groove on the inside of the leg and held in position by dowels or wooden pegs. The seat is fixed to the frame by means of dowels.

Time
These stools were often used with the 'drawer' table that became popular around 1600. This kind of table had leaves that could be 'drawn' or pulled out so as to expand to the required length. With such a table, a variable number of stools could be used, whereas the bench or form was of a fixed length.
Associated object
W.46A-1946 (Ensemble)
Collection
Accession number
W.46-1946

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Record createdFebruary 15, 2001
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