A rare early 19th century Regency period X-frame stool, after a design by Thomas Hope, retaining its original chinoiserie decoration and covered in imperial yellow 'Cathay' silk damask by Gainsborough Silk.

England, circa 1820.

Why we like it
A rather unusual combination of the classical x-frame design, inspired by antiquity, and the exotic chinoiserie decoration, which was promoted back in fashion by the Prince Regent's whimsical confection of the Brighton Pavillion. A wonderfully pretty and rare piece.

This design derives from Thomas Hope's Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1807 (pl. XII), which was informed by the ancient Greek and Roman examples, often depicted on pottery and frescoes.

This distinctive form also corresponds to a pattern later featured in the Estimate Sketch Book of Gillows of London and Lancaster (no. 3568, dated 1827), but the design is known to have been manufactured as early as 1812 (N. Goodison & J. Hardy, 'Gillows at Tatton Park', Furniture History, 1970, p. 22).