Object Description
This wonderful French Napoleon III knotted rope twist stool / tabouret retaining its original needlepoint foliate upholstery, is very possibly from the workshop of A.M.E Fournier and previous part of the important collection of Lord Ballyedmond.
French circa 1880.
The circular seat retaining its buttoned silk and needlepoint foliate upholstery, raised on gilt wood twisted rope legs finishing on the original concealed horn castors to the tasselled feet.
Provenance Lord Ballyedmond Collection
This whimsical stool once stool place in the drawing room of the London home of the late Lord Ballyedmond. His home was a unique place – a private world in which his incredible collection was displayed, giving a glimpse of a former gilded age and thoughtfully put together to create the perfect setting for entertaining in the grandest tradition.
A.M.E. Fournier was established by 1850 at 109 Boulevard Beaumarchais, and later at Boulevard des Capucines. Besides case furniture, Fournier also produced a variety of upholstered pieces that were exhibited at many of the famous exhibitions of the second half of the 19th century, including the Exposition Universelle of 1867. One of his most popular and enduring creations was his design for the rope-twist stool, or pouf à cordes. A giltwood stool very similar to this lot is in the Château de Compiègne and is illustrated Helena Hayward, World Furniture, 1965, p. 241, pl. 928.
Width: 24 3/4 inches – 63cm
Height: 17 inches – 43cm
Depth: 24 3/4 inches – 63cm