A rare pair of carved white marble drum-form 'dragon' stools, 17th / 18th century

These exquisite stools, carved from beautifully figured white marble, would likely have been commissioned for the garden of a wealthy patron. Each is carved in the form of a drum, with a band of circular bosses at top and bottom in imitation of the metal fasteners used to keep the leather surface taut, and a geometric design to the top. On the sides, lobed medallions with confronted dragons are surrounded by a sea of scrollwork, and are flanked by mythical beast-form handles. Compare the present pair with a very closely related example sold at Christie's New York, 24th March 2023, lot 1144.