A pair of George III mahogany pedestals circa 1760

the stepped rectangular tops of breakfront outline and moulded edge above concave friezes on scrolled volute supports with conformingly shaped panelled tapering bodies on moulded and stepped plinth bases, minor variations in construction

Commissioned by Sir George Lyttelton, 5th Bt., and 1st baron Lyttelton of Frankley (d. 1773) for the Hall, Hagley Hall, Worcestershire and by descent at Hagley Hall.

'Hagley Park, Worcestershire, The Seat of Viscount Cobham', Country Life, 16 October 1915, p. 522, The Hall.

G. Beard, 'Hagley Hall, Worcestershire', Connoisseur Year Book, 1954, p. 13, no. VI.

C. Hussey, English Country Houses, Early Georgian, 1715-1760, 1955, p. 197., fig. 352.

G. Nares, 'Hagley Hall, Worcestershire - II', Country Life, 26 September 1957, p. 609, fig. 3. 

J. Cornforth, 'Hagley Hall, Worcestershire', Country Life, 27 April  1989, p. 136, fig. 1.

Overall in a very good country house condition. With a dry untouched surface. The top of one with some slight chips to the veneer on the front edges and fading. The same pedestal with some patches to the right side and slightly different construction along the edges of this side, possibly original or due to the restoration that has taken place. There is a difference to the reverse where one pedestal is more completely finished than the other. Sun fading to both and each with water staining to the bases of each. Small chipped losses but rare and bold pedestals. For further information on this Lot, please contact the English Furniture Department on 00 44 (0) 207 293-5470.
"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."

These exceptional pedestals or 'terms' which displayed two magnificent busts in the Hall at Hagley derive from prototypes that became fashionable in the early 1730s with the introduction of the Palladian style as promoted by William Kent. They were designed for use in supporting the many treasures acquired by the English collectors whilst on the 'Grand Tour' such as busts, vases or bronzes. It is recorded that at Rousham, Oxfordshire, the seat of General James Dormer that was enlarged by William Kent, there were some twenty-two bronze figures and twenty busts, some supported on pedestals, an example of which is illustrated in Percy Macquoid and Ralph Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, rev. ed., 1954, vol. III, p. 160, fig. 5.

The maker of these pedestals is, like much of the furniture at Hagley, a mystery, although it is tempting to try to establish a link with the partnership of William Vile and John Cobb based of stylistic grounds and the attribution of their work to the pair of chairs in this sale, lot 98. The boldness of design, exemplary quality and the use of the scrolled volutes appears on much of their earlier work where Vile's influence is at it strongest. There is also the possibility that these could be the work of James Lovell who was certainly employed at Hagley and who was an eminent carver, see note to lot 100.

The busts that sat upon these pedestals at Hagley will be offered  in the sale of European Sculpture and Works of Art on 9th July 2008 at Sotheby's, New Bond Street.