A PAIR OF GEORGE II STYLE GILTWOOD STOOLS Late 20th Century

identical to the preceding lot, with semi-attached oval cushion, the strapwork rosette leaf-carved serpentine apron on a stippled ground with lion-mask ring-carved knees, on tapering legs terminating in animal-paw feet.

Overall very good condition; minor chips and wear to gilding especially to feet with some minor inpainting in places.
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 design of the present stools is after a set of stools which are part of a large suite of gilt-gesso seat furniture including side chairs, stools, matching settees and a pair of side tables, originally from Stowe House, Buckinghamshire, the ducal mansion of the Dukes of Buckingham and Chandos.  The majority of the suite was dispersed after the sale of the contents of Stowe in 1848.  A large group of this furniture is in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen, including a set of six chairs in the Queen's Audience Room at Windsor Castle, which sold at Christie's, London in May 1939, from the Collection of William Randolph Hearst.  A settee and stools from the Stowe suite are in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

See:

William Rieder, 'A Gilt Gesso Set of Furniture Traditionally from Stowe', The Journal of the Furniture History Society, vol. XIV, 1978, pl. 21

Macquoid and Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1953, vo. I., p. 270, fig. 138