A pair of Regency mahogany x-frame stools early 19th century, in the manner of Thomas Hope

the oblong drop in seats within lion head carved finials, the frames with pole stretchers and button moulded terminals, on lion's paw feet, possibly French, restorations

Olive, Lady Baillie, Leeds Castle, Kent

Recorded in Sir Gawaine`s Bedroom, Leeds Castle;

Pair of mahogany X-framed/ stools with lion head terminals/and claw feet in the style of/ Thomas Hope English 1810

Purchased from:  Cook, 16.1.56, £200

Seats covered green leather/ tooled gold

Covered by: Jansen/London 7.6.56, £24

These are generally in good condition. Leather old but not original and has some stains and marks consistent with use. One stool has repaired breaks around the centre section of the X to one side and an inserted section of timber to this side. The other sides has some filled holes around the centre section. There is some staining around the joints consistent with the stool being dismantled and re- assembled. The other stool has filled holes around the joints and a later roundel. Both have loose joints.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present pair of stools in the Roman style, is based on a design for an X-framed stool by Thomas Hope, originally in his collection in Duchess Street, illustrated in Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1807, pl.12, (see illustration). For further information about Thomas Hope, see footnote to lot 141. Designed in the 'Antique' style, the design of  these 'Curule-form' stools is derived from a model reserved for the use of the highest officials in ancient Rome.

For comparison, another stool of related design is recorded in the collection of Viscount Allendale at Bretton Park, Yorkshire, illustated in Margaret Jourdain, Regency Furniture 1795-1820, rev. ed. 1948, p.101, fig. 85, and Clifford Musgrave, Regency Furniture 1800-1830, 1961, fig. 15a. Two further examples are recorded in Percy Macquoid and Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, rev.ed., 3 vols., 1954, vol. III, p.182, fig. 68, and Frances Collard, Regency Furniture, 1985, p.98.