A pair of George I walnut stools circa 1725

the rounded rectangular drop-in seats covered in modern floral needelwork, the shaped aprons above cabriole legs with carved shell motifs to the knees, on pad feet

Sir Howe Hicks, Witcombe Park, Gloucestershire.
Thence by descent to the Hicks Beach family.

Stool 1: Some minor losses to the veneers on the top edge on all sides. Old worm damage to all rails, visible on all sides. Worm also to the feet and pads. Old marks and scratches throughout consistent with age. Good colour and patina. Natural variation to veneers on frieze. These are original but give a patched appearance. Stool 2: Very similar condition except for one leg which has worm errosion and splicing to foot. The frieze to the top of the same leg has a triangular patch to the veneer. One 'ear' bracket missing to another leg. Very small losses to veneers to top edge of seat. 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."

The manor of Great Witcombe was acquired in the early 17th century by Lady Elizabeth Hicks, although her family was based in Essex.  It was not until the late 17th century that one of her grandsons Sir Michael Hicks decided to adopt Witcombe as his home and enlarge a small farm on the estate into accommodation suitable for a family of his means and status. Hence the existing buildings bearing the date 1607 were retained for the purposes of service accommodation and a five -bay, two storey block was added prior to 1704. A bird's-eye view painting by Adrian van Diest commissioned by Sir Michael to record the newly completed building and landscape is still owned by his descendants. Witcombe passed to a series of Sir Michael's direct male descendants starting with Sir Howe Hicks in 1710 and ending with Sir William Hicks who died in 1835. During this time scant building work was carried out and only then when essential repairs were required owing to structural problems. The house was inherited in 1825 by Sir William's daughter Lady Cromie who was tragically abandoned by her husband when he eloped with a maid on their honeymoon. Following Lady Cromie's death in 1885, the house passed to a far cousin, W.F. Hicks Beach who was forced to demolish the building due to its dilapidated condition. A temporary house was erected by a local builder in 1891, where  it remains despite initial intentions over a century later (see Nicholas Kingsley, The Country Houses of Gloucestershire, Volume Two 1630-1830, 1992, pp. 267-8).