Stool
1600-1720 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Stools of this kind were called ‘joint’ or ‘joined’ stools, because they are made using mortise and tenon joints. This was a technique used by joiners to link the parts of furniture using a tenon, or pared-down end, which slotted into a mortise, or rectangular hole. It would then be locked in place with wooden pegs. Stools were the most common form of seating. More expensive stools, especially those made for bedchambers, were covered with upholstery which might match the bed hangings.
This example has a wooden seat and is well-made. The legs were shaped by turning on a pole-lathe, after which further decoration was carved; the carving on this example is unusually elaborate. Stools would have been particularly useful with ‘draw’ tables, which became popular around 1600. These had extra leaves that could be 'drawn' or pulled out, to increase the size of the table top.
On loan to Lamport Hall.
This example has a wooden seat and is well-made. The legs were shaped by turning on a pole-lathe, after which further decoration was carved; the carving on this example is unusually elaborate. Stools would have been particularly useful with ‘draw’ tables, which became popular around 1600. These had extra leaves that could be 'drawn' or pulled out, to increase the size of the table top.
On loan to Lamport Hall.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Oak, joined, with carved and turned decoration |
Brief description | Stool, English, 1600-1720 |
Physical description | Oak joint stool, the seat with a simple moulded edge; the legs are turned with carved decoration. The single-piece top is held to the frame with four pegs, at the corners. The lower edges of the seat rails (which were sawn) have carved decoration; the rails double-pegged. The legs are joined at the base by four plain stretchers (single-pegged). With a dark stain overall. The feet wormy. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Marks and inscriptions | TM (Brand under the seat. An owner's mark) |
Credit line | Given by Mr E. Peter Jones |
Object history | Given by E. Peter Jones Esq. of Greenbank, Chester. 'worm-eaten: pieces of fret missing...Period of James I' No further information about this stool on the acquisition papers. |
Summary | Stools of this kind were called ‘joint’ or ‘joined’ stools, because they are made using mortise and tenon joints. This was a technique used by joiners to link the parts of furniture using a tenon, or pared-down end, which slotted into a mortise, or rectangular hole. It would then be locked in place with wooden pegs. Stools were the most common form of seating. More expensive stools, especially those made for bedchambers, were covered with upholstery which might match the bed hangings. This example has a wooden seat and is well-made. The legs were shaped by turning on a pole-lathe, after which further decoration was carved; the carving on this example is unusually elaborate. Stools would have been particularly useful with ‘draw’ tables, which became popular around 1600. These had extra leaves that could be 'drawn' or pulled out, to increase the size of the table top. On loan to Lamport Hall. |
Bibliographic reference | H. Clifford Smith, Catalogue of English Furniture & Woodwork
(London 1930), cat. 553, Plate 17. |
Collection | |
Accession number | W.9-1922 |
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Record created | March 4, 2003 |
Record URL |
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