STOOL
W.4a-1987
'American and European Art and Design 1800-1900'
One of a pair, this stool was formerly in the possession of Marshal Ney (1769-1815), one of Napoleon's leading generals. It later belonged to Lord Stuart de Rothesay (!779-1845). The form is derived from the ancient Roman <font -i>sella curulis</font>, or magistrate's chair. It is possible that the stool may be earlier than 1803, in which case Georges II Jacob (1768-1803) should be credited as manufacturer instead of his father: the Jacob brothers supplied similar stools to the Tuileries in 1779 to 1800.
From the Bettine Lady Abingdon Collection [1987-2006]