England, 15th or 16th century

oak, of trestle form

This stool shows signs of its great age. There are the effects of water, worm and what appears to be fire, however these all give it a distinctly sculptural feel. There is fragmenting to areas and losses to some carved details which relate to comparative stools from the same period. There may be later cut in wedge shapes to each trestle end. Acquired from David Duggleby Auctions, Yorkshire; 7.7.07, lot 300.
"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."

When examining these rare, early boarded stools, the viewer is always acutely aware of the construction which is amongst the earliest of furniture forms. The offered lot demonstrates beautifully the skill of an early master joiner and a real sense of 'truth to material'. The buttress shaped trestles are of strong architectural figuration, Herbert Cesinsky in his seminal text, Early English Furniture and Woodwork, London, 1922, p.172, writes that the form these special pieces take is a 'full expression of the manner and constructive methods of the time'. For a fine group of related stools see Sotheby's, London, The Adler Collection, 24 February 2005, lot 59-63.