Style of Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine

with drop-in seats, one stamped V the other VI

Overall in 'Country House' condition. These wonderful stools have been exposed to pets, children, grandchildren and heavy use over the years and there are losses and repairs consistent with this. There are losses and chips to the parcel-gilt decoration and carved detail, repairs, glue and repainting to these sites and there is evidence of filler and re-tipping to the feet. The turned seat rail bars are loose. One stool with repaired breaks to two of the uprights and there are disc shaped in-filled areas covering later securing screws at these sites which have repaired this and secure later seat rails. Drop-in seats later, the upholstery is worn and stained, and may benefit from change according to taste. One seat rail with later metal supporting bars. One seat with later rails. There is evidence of worm. So these should be treated. Old marks and scratches consistent with age and use throughout. A very atmospheric pair of stools which are of good quality and despite their tired appearance and the repairs that have taken place are chic.
"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."

One of the pair sketched by Sir William Nicholson at Chartwell with Winston's beloved cat Tango asleep on it (lot XX) and painted in the foreground of Amy Katherine Browning's portrait of Clementine in her Drawing Room at Hyde Park Gate (see lot 7).

The design of this elegant pair of stools, with its curule form evocative of Antiquity, derives from the creations of Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine who became the designers of choice for the Nouveau Regime in France at the turn of the 19^th century. Inspired by the recent discoveries of Herculaneum and Pompeii, their innovative interior decorations were the base for the sophisticated Empire style which conquered Europe hand in hand with Napoleon Bonaparte’s army.

In 1801, Percier and Fontaine published the influential Recueil de Décorations Intérieures, which became the reference book for the style and where one can see the elegant x-frame form used in present lot on pl.39, no.5.

Stools were important at the Imperial Court and were numerous in the Palaces and official buildings; many of which were supplied by the family of menusiers Jacob. They have produced similar examples to the present lot, such as lot 166 at Christie’s London, 16 March 2012 (Stephane Boudin at 5 Belgrave Square, Les Objets de L’Empire & Mount Kennedy, Ireland, Three Private Collections), with similar shape ending on rams’ heads and stamped by Jacob Desmalter. Nonetheless, with its walnut seat frame, the choice of mahogany employed and rounded arms and legs, the present lot was most likely made in Italy and are a testament to the expansion of Empire style throughout Europe.