A GEORGE I WALNUT STOOL

POSSIBLY BY THOMAS ROBERTS, CIRCA 1725

细节

A GEORGE I WALNUT STOOL
Possibly by Thomas Roberts, circa 1725
The rectangular padded seat covered in contemporary Georgian gros and petit point floral needlework on a red ground on cabriole legs with molded collar continuing to pad feet
17in. (43cm.) high, 21in. (55cm.) wide, 16in. (42cm.) deep

来源

Henry Mitchell, Esq., sold Sotheby's London, 2 July 1965, lot 133 (purchased by Patch for 170).
Purchased from Trevor Antiques of Brighton, Sussex, 4 March 1968.

拍品专文

With its distinctive 'collared' cabriole legs, this stool relates to the documented oeuvre of Thomas Roberts of 'The Royal Chair'. On 24 November 1728, the latter supplied a closely related suite of seat-furniture to Sir Robert Walpole, later 1st Earl of Orford for the Yellow Drawing Room at Houghton Hall, Norfolk. As the 24 April 1729 bill records, Roberts supplied '12 fine wallnuttree Chair frames..a walnuttree Settee frame...a large and strong wallnuttree Couch frame' covered in, Crimson Damask strong ticker, on 21 October 1728 at the cost of 69 8s 3d, whilst a further 'Couch Frame' was supplied on 24 December 1728 at the cost of 4 10s (Houghton mss. RB 1.57). A pair of side chairs from this suite was sold by the Marquess of Cholmondeley, Works of Art from Houghton, Christie's London, 8 December 1994, lot 128 (69,700).

Thomas Roberts was almost certainly a member of the Roberts dynasty of 'The Royal Chair', Marylebone. Founded by Thomas Roberts (1685-1714), who was succeded by Richard Roberts (fl.1714-29), presumably his son, as carver and joiner to the Royal Household, the Roberts family worked extensively at the Royal Palaces, as well as supplying furnishings for state ceremonies and for leading courtiers such as Ralph, 1st Duke of Montagu at Boughton and William, 1st Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth.