Walnut footstool, upholstered.
Identifier
FPF348
Title
Walnut footstool, upholstered.
Date
1850-1870
Description
Walnut footstool with cabriole legs, upholstered.
Full Description
This walnut footstool in the French Rococo-style of the 1750s has a rectangular stuff-over seat with serpentine seat rails with beaded serpentine edge mouldings. It is raised on moulded hipped cabriole legs with scroll feet. The upholstery cover is modern.
This form of footstool was illustrated in mid-19th century trade catalogues, such as H. Wood’s Cheval and Pole Screens (1846) and Supplement to General Furniture Work (1848), and W. Blackie’s The Cabinet-Maker’s Assistant (1853) (Joy, 1994). It was probably made as part of a matching walnut suite to go with an easy chair. For a side chair in similar style, see FPF349.
There is a label underneath the seat inscribed ‘Property of House/Nestle Rowntree/Sitting Room 6’, indicating the stool was possibly from Penn House, York, built in 1852 for Joseph Rowntree Snr., a chocolatier, businessman and philanthropist. This historically important house was the principal residence of the Rowntree family for nearly 70 years until c. 1920, when it was sold.
This form of footstool was illustrated in mid-19th century trade catalogues, such as H. Wood’s Cheval and Pole Screens (1846) and Supplement to General Furniture Work (1848), and W. Blackie’s The Cabinet-Maker’s Assistant (1853) (Joy, 1994). It was probably made as part of a matching walnut suite to go with an easy chair. For a side chair in similar style, see FPF349.
There is a label underneath the seat inscribed ‘Property of House/Nestle Rowntree/Sitting Room 6’, indicating the stool was possibly from Penn House, York, built in 1852 for Joseph Rowntree Snr., a chocolatier, businessman and philanthropist. This historically important house was the principal residence of the Rowntree family for nearly 70 years until c. 1920, when it was sold.
Condition
Two of the feet have pieces broken off the scrolls.
One of the seat edge mouldings has been replaced.
Upholstery and top cover and minor repairs by Stuart and Turner 1963.
One of the seat edge mouldings has been replaced.
Upholstery and top cover and minor repairs by Stuart and Turner 1963.
Materials
Walnut.
Upholstery.
Upholstery.
Physical Dimensions
H. 23
W. 38
D. 43
W. 38
D. 43
Marks
Label under the seat, inscribed ‘Property of House/Nestle Rowntree/Sitting Room 6’.
Parker Numbers
6255
Provenance
Purchased by Frederick Parker & Sons prior to July 1930.
Notes
Ed. E. Joy, Pictorial Dictionary of British 19th Century Furniture Design, Woodbridge, reprinted 1994, pp. 275-277.
