Pair of stools

These stools form part of the extremely grand early 18th-century bedroom suite that has been at Warwick Castle since at least 1807. The suite was reputedly made for Queen Anne and undoubtedly made for an exceptionally grand – probably ‘state’ – bedroom. The stools are upholstered with a high ‘lip’ on all four sides to hold a square cushion. The highly accomplished upholstery is particularly interesting as this form was unknown until the appearance of these pieces and it casts new light on the operations of the London upholstery trade. These works were acquired with assistance from the Wolfson Foundation.