This fine hall stool with solid mahogany dished seat having on each side a fluted scroll terminal finished with stylistically carved floral paterea, above carved rails with square carvings on each corner finished on fluted tapering legs.

A group of 10 Hall Benches of Identical design executed in oak were supplied to Cropley Ashley Cooper, 6th Earl of Shaftesbury (1768-1851 St Giles house, Wimborne St Giles, Dorset.

The 7th earl Records in his ‘Collected Traditions of the Mansion & estate’ of 1855, states that these stools were carved by Richard Penn Esqre for the 6th Earl of Shaftesbury’

Richard Penn (1784-1863), had a rather interesting family history as he was the Great grandson of William Penn, the founder of the then province of Pennsylvania. He was employed at the Colonial Office, Penn was also an Author, writing on such varied subjects as ciphering, angling, shooting and chess.

Further Research through achive pictures has found a very similar stool, if not the pair photographed in the entarance hall. Benches and stools of this model where still in the house as recent as 2012