Rectangular stool of carved and gilded beechwood, with modern upholstery in tawny cotton velvet with gilt-metal thread braids and fringe. The tapering, rectangular legs are carved with formal foliage and hanging tassels, against recessed panels carved with transverse ribbing. The legs are joined by an H-form stretcher, the cross stretcher rising in the centre to two opposed scrolls.

Rectangular stool of carved and gilded beechwood, with modern upholstery in tawny cotton velvet with gilt-metal thread braids and fringe. The tapering, rectangular legs are carved with formal foliage and hanging tassels, against recessed panels carved with transverse ribbing. The legs are joined by an H-form stretcher, the cross stretcher rising in the centre to two opposed scrolls. The base cloth of the upholstery is probably original.

Bought for £40 from the executors of the late J.H.Fitzhenry, via George Durlacher Esq. 142 New Bond St. London W1.

Fitzhenry nominal file pt. 20 ma/1/f677/20 (incomplete before 31st Dec 1935)
Minute paper 13/3998 makes it clear that a collection of Fitzhenry (‘formed during many years past with the advice and assistance of officers of this Museum on the distinct understanding that it was at his death to become Museum property’) had been ‘deposited here [ie in the Museum] on loan’. In fact the will did not make such provision, ‘but provides for the sale of the objects for the benefit of London hospitals'.

Various items were identified for direct sale to the Museum ‘at very reasonable cost’ before the removal of the bulk of objects lent by Fitzhenry for a Christie’s sale in the autumn of 1913, including 14 pieces of woodwork, lacquered boxes etc., which includes:
Two carved wood doors. Nos. 1507-8 £175 (later acquired as W.14&a-1914 )
Large arm chair, carved wood. No. 1840 £120 (W.15-1914)
Stool of carved and gilt wood. No. 1845 £40 (W.16-1914)
Large carved wood chest and stand, No. 2408 £150 (W.17-1914)
and other items W.18 to 27-1914

This stool was selected for disposal (RF 58/2540Y and 58/2681) but was not disposed of and was written on to the Museum records again in 1961 (RF 61/2725)

There has been much discussion about the date of this stool. Such designs were often copied in the period 1820-1840 in particular, when the 'Louis XIV' style was once more very fashionable. The very good condition of the gilding might argue a later date but the base cloth of the upholstery (visible beneath the stool) seems to date from about 1700 and to support the idea that this is an earlier piece.

W.16 -1914