Lot Essay
A stool of almost identical pattern and, like the present stool, executed in solid mahogany, was almost certainly supplied to Charles Powlett, 5th Duke of Bolton (d. 1765), either for Bolton Hall, Grosvenor Square or Hackwood, Hampshire. The stool was first recorded at Hackwood in 1905 and remained in the Bolton family collection until Hackwood and its contents were sold to William Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose in 1935. The stool was sold anonymously [Property of a Nobleman], Christie's, London, 8 July 1999, lot 61 (£84,000).
A suite of seat-furniture of the same model is also recorded at Wentworth Woodhouse and also comprised a solid mahogany stool. A stool from that suite was sold by the late Countess Fitzwilliam, 'Wentworth', Christie's, London, 8 July 1998, lot 67 (£21,850) although its feet had been cut-down and parcel-gilding added. That two suites of seat-furniture of practically identical pattern were supplied to families with Yorkshire estates, suggest a local maker and at the time of the Wentworth sale in 1998, it was suggested that this pattern of suite supplied to both families was made by the Wakefield firm of Wright & Elwick.
The Hackwood stool, formed part of a suite of seat-furniture with minor variations in its construction. The auction history of the various elements of both suites is discussed at length in the footnote to the Hackwood stool's catalogue entry when sold at Christie's, July 1999.
A suite of seat-furniture of the same model is also recorded at Wentworth Woodhouse and also comprised a solid mahogany stool. A stool from that suite was sold by the late Countess Fitzwilliam, 'Wentworth', Christie's, London, 8 July 1998, lot 67 (£21,850) although its feet had been cut-down and parcel-gilding added. That two suites of seat-furniture of practically identical pattern were supplied to families with Yorkshire estates, suggest a local maker and at the time of the Wentworth sale in 1998, it was suggested that this pattern of suite supplied to both families was made by the Wakefield firm of Wright & Elwick.
The Hackwood stool, formed part of a suite of seat-furniture with minor variations in its construction. The auction history of the various elements of both suites is discussed at length in the footnote to the Hackwood stool's catalogue entry when sold at Christie's, July 1999.