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Lot Essay
The stool relates stylistically, but importantly also in its construction, to the superb walnut and parcel-gilt chairs supplied to Sir Robert Walpole for Houghton, Norfolk. These were almost certainly supplied by the Roberts family of chair-makers, whose workshop was on Marylebone Street, London, until 1728, after which it moved to Air Street.
Thomas Roberts Snr held the post of carver and joiner to the Royal Household until his death in 1714, and was succeeded by Richard Roberts, presumably his son. In 1729, by which time Richard too seems to have passed away, Walpole's debt to the firm amounted to £1,420 8 7½d. 'less £200 by cash' (G.Beard and C.Gilbert, ictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660 - 1840, Leeds, 1986, pp. 753 - 4)
Thomas Roberts Snr held the post of carver and joiner to the Royal Household until his death in 1714, and was succeeded by Richard Roberts, presumably his son. In 1729, by which time Richard too seems to have passed away, Walpole's debt to the firm amounted to £1,420 8 7½d. 'less £200 by cash' (G.Beard and C.Gilbert, ictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660 - 1840, Leeds, 1986, pp. 753 - 4)