Library steps
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1765
Materials
Mahogany, tulipwood, brass
Measurements
154 cm (H); 160 cm (W); 78 cm (D)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Montacute House, Somerset
NT 597564
Summary
A set of tulipwood cross banded mahogany library steps, London, circa 1765. With four steps to each aspect meeting at a central platform inlaid with geometrically arranged cross banding and with a fluted frieze. Each step held by C scroll carved supports, the lower steps rounded and with scrolled terminals. The steps surmounted by a balustrade of square section supports inlaid with fluting and with a moulded hand rail. The steps joined by a pierced moulded stretcher and raised on brass castors. Bearing a hand written paper label to the underside 'Library steps bought in 1891 by Bt,H (?) at the Royal School of Art Needlework'
Full description
Library steps were among the fashionable accessories offered by 18th century cabinet-makers, whose patrons were creating remarkable libraries. It is not known where or by whom these steps were made but they are undoubtably the work of an eminent London workshop. Comparable examples include a set supplied by Thomas Chippendale the Younger for the Library at Stourhead, Wiltshire (NT 731678), recorded in the firm's accounts, 19 November 1804, priced at 48 gns, a set of two-flight steps formerly the property of Edward John Peregrine Cust, 7th Baron Brownlow at Belton House, Lincolnshire, sold Sotheby's, 4 July 1997, lot 56, one of a pair supplied on 14 October 1785 by John Mayhew and William Ince, to George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough for his Observatory at Blenheim Palace. See: H. Roberts, 'Nicely fitted up' Furniture for the 4th Duke of Marlborough', Furniture History Society, 1994, p. 149, f/n 121) and a set almost certainly supplied to William, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam for Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire. Another set, circa 1765, with a framework of Chinese fretwork, was at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire, see: P. Macquoid, R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1954, p. 288, fig. 3). (James Weedon, April 2019)
Provenance
Probably purchased in 1891 by Bt,H (?) at the Royal School of Art Needlework. Given to the National Trust by Mrs. Blewitt and Mrs. Hely, the daughters of Mrs. James Henderson.
Marks and inscriptions
Underside of steps: Library steps bought in 1891 by Bt,H (?) at the Royal School of Art Needlework
References
Edwards, Ralph, 1894-1977 shorter dictionary of English furniture : 1964., vol.II, p.288, fig.3 Roberts, 1994 : Hugh Roberts, 'Nicely fitted up' Furniture for the 4th Duke of Marlborough', Furniture History, vol. 30 (1994), pp.117-149, p.149