Stool thumbnail 1
Stool thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On display at Lamport Hall, Northants

Stool

1600-1620 (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. This kind of stool was in general use but 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.

On loan to Lamport Hall.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Oak, joined, with turned and carved decoration
Brief description
English 1580-1620
Physical description
Oak joint stool or small table, the sawn rails (double-pegged) with fluting and a convex moulding (probably added) along the lower edge. The legs of reeded baluster form, joined at the bottom by plain, single-pegged stretchers. The top consists of a single board, pegged at the corners down into the frame using large, early pegs. This stool is noticeably larger than many similar surviving stools.

Condition
One corner of the seat missing.
Dimensions
  • Height: 60cm
  • Width: 47cm
  • Depth: 34.5cm
Style
Object history
Bought for £30 from J.H. Gillingham, Harrington Road, SW7

See RP 56/3300 and 37/2847
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. This kind of stool was in general use but 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.

On loan to Lamport Hall.
Bibliographic reference
For the stool type and leg form compare: P. Macquoid, History of English Furniture, vol.I 1904 fig.121, and P.Macquoid and R. Edwards, Dictionary of English Furniture, vol.III 1927, p.162, fig.8
Collection
Accession number
W.34-1937

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Record createdMarch 4, 2003
Record URL
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