A Louis XV giltwood ployant (folding stool) circa 1740

together with a later copy

Cardinal Armand Gaston Maximilien de Rohan (1674-1749), Bishop of Strasbourg, commissioned circa 1740 as a part of a set of twenty-four for the royal apartments at the Palais Rohan, Strasbourg.

With age and construction cracks. Scattered losses to gesso. Small losses to wood at extremities; not extensive. Signs of old worm damage; generally not visible on gilt surface. Regilt, now with losses, some rubbing and surface dirt to gilding; some areas showing remnants of black paint underneath. The later copy with some cracks, general signs of wear, rubbing and surface dirt to gilding. In good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Palais Rohan was erected between 1732 and 1742 to the designs of Robert de Cotte, under the supervision of Joseph Massol.  Commissioned by Cardinal Armand Gaston, it was built on the site of the Bishop's former residence, started in 1262.

This stool, made circa 1740, belongs to a set of 24 of which five are still in the Palace.  They were intended for the king's apartments, divided between la chambre du Roi (the king's bedroom) and le cabinet du Roi, also known as the salon d'assemblé, where the king would receive visitors.  Louis XV visited Strasbourg in October 1744 and stayed in these apartments.  They also housed the dauphines Marie-Josèphe de Saxe in 1747 and Marie-Antoinette in 1770 for their first nights in France.

Most of the furniture from the Palace was sold at auction after the Revolution.  The Palace was refurnished under Napoleon in 1805 as an imperial palace and used by all subsequent sovereigns until all its furnishings were removed in 1855.