An Exceedingly Rare Pair of James I Oak Joint Stools
The square-edged tops are similar to the tops on boarded stools of some 30 years earlier, which do not have a moulding running all around, just a simple "reed" along the long side, and are fastened to the seat rails with four square oak pegs.
The seat rails are well-carved, with lunette semi-circles filled with a stylised leaf centre - two lunettes to the long side and a single to the short side. The legs are bold and sturdy, again reminiscent of stools made in the latter part of the 16th century- a tapering baluster with a "cup" at the top and a squat ball at the bottom. If from the 16th century, this design of leg would have been carved or fluted.
See Tobias Jellinek, "English Chairs and Seats" page 224, plate 283 (pictured).
The stretchers are deep and have a narrow run-moulding along the bottom edge, and sit just above the flat turned feet, which are all original.
Excellent colour and surface.
Gloucestershire, circa 1600-1620.
Width 19.5 inches, back to front 11.5 inches, height 23 inches.
Ref 2616