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Lot Essay
This stool is probably one of the four supplied by Thomas Chippendale in 1772 for the dining-room at Mersham Le Hatch, most probably for the window-recesses. Two remain at Mersham and one has been sold twice at Christie's (8 February 1973, lot 19, and again, 29 March 1984, lot 28).
The set was invoiced in Chippendale's third bill, for May-October 1772: '1772 Oct 28 ...
To 4 neat carv'd mahogany Stools cover'd with
fine blue Morrocco Leather and brass Nail'd to
Match the Chairs @ 37/- £7 8s
One of the two stools that are still at Mersham is illustrated in Gilbert, op. cit., vol. II, p. 214, fig. 389. Gilbert also records (ibid., vol. I, p. 222) that when the stool sold at Christie's in 1973 was re-covered, part of the original blue leather cover emerged.
Sir Wyndham Knatchbull, 6th Bt. (d.1763), began the building of a new house at Mersham in 1761, employing Robert Adam as his architect. After his early death in 1763, he was succeeded by his uncle who continued the building work. Chippendale's involvement began in 1767 and lasted until 1779.
The set was invoiced in Chippendale's third bill, for May-October 1772: '1772 Oct 28 ...
To 4 neat carv'd mahogany Stools cover'd with
fine blue Morrocco Leather and brass Nail'd to
Match the Chairs @ 37/- £7 8s
One of the two stools that are still at Mersham is illustrated in Gilbert, op. cit., vol. II, p. 214, fig. 389. Gilbert also records (ibid., vol. I, p. 222) that when the stool sold at Christie's in 1973 was re-covered, part of the original blue leather cover emerged.
Sir Wyndham Knatchbull, 6th Bt. (d.1763), began the building of a new house at Mersham in 1761, employing Robert Adam as his architect. After his early death in 1763, he was succeeded by his uncle who continued the building work. Chippendale's involvement began in 1767 and lasted until 1779.