A pair of early George III mahogany stools circa 1760, in the manner of Mayhew and Ince

the dished serpentine seats with overscrolled ends carved with flowerheads on shaped, supports with pierced front stretchers and turned side stretchers on scrolled feet, replaced lower section to one leg

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.

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

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

Overall in a very good country house condition. Displaying an exceptional colour and patination.Old darkened marks and scratches to the seats as to be expected. One with an age crack to the end of the front stretcher at join with leg and a repaired crack to one side stretcher. The same stool also with a crack to one corner of the seat. Minor restorations consistent with age and use. These are beautiful stools in a lovely condition. 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."

Conceived to furnish an entrance hall these stools would have originally formed part of a longer suite. The dished seats on the current pair and the scrolled supports relate to a designs by Mayhew and Ince and published in The Universal System of Household Furniture, 1762, pl. XXIV and also have strong similarities with a design by Robert Manwaring and published in his The Cabinet and Chair-maker's Real Friend and Companion, 1765, pl. 18, both of which are reproduced here.

These stools are similar to a japanned pair, decorated with the Bouverie arms of 1st Earl of Radnor  from Coleshill, House, Berkshire, most recently sold, The Bill Blass Collection, Sotheby's New York, 21-23 October 2003, lot 238.