What defines Regency style furniture?

Regency style furniture, prominent in early nineteenth-century Britain, is characterised by classical Greek, Roman, and Egyptian influences, dark polished woods like mahogany, and ornate brass or ormolu embellishments.

What traditional materials were used to construct 19th-century footstools?

Early nineteenth-century footstools typically feature solid mahogany or rosewood frames, embellished with cast brass or gilt-bronze mounts, turned wooden feet, and traditional horsehair padding beneath woven silk or velvet upholstery.

How can you identify an authentic Regency period footstool?

Authentic Regency footstools display detailed hand-carved mahogany scrollwork, genuine cast metal mounts showing natural patination, hand-dovetailed or pegged joinery, and appropriate wear on turned wooden or ball feet.

How do you style an antique Regency footstool in a modern interior?

A Regency footstool can be styled near a fireplace or alongside a contemporary armchair to add rich historical texture, balancing classic mahogany woodwork with clean, modern upholstery tones.

How should an antique upholstered mahogany footstool be cared for?

Maintain the mahogany framework by dusting with a soft cloth and applying a natural beeswax polish occasionally, while keeping upholstery away from direct sunlight and cleaning delicate fabrics with specialised low-moisture treatments.

for sale €3,803 $4,128

£3,250

LVS Decorative Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2011

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Low Padded Footstool

Regency Mahogany Footstool

19th Century Mahogany Stool

Antique Upholstered Footrest

Id #SA1211132

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Superb & Rare 'Design Book' Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Scroll Top Foot Stool in the Manner of Mathew Gregson

19th century

For Sale by LVS Decorative Arts

Description

A superb and extremely rare 'Design book' example of an early 19th century Regency (circa 1815) mahogany scroll top foot stool or gout stool with brass mounts in the manner of Mathew Gregson (1749-1824).

This superb shaped stool in the form of a gout stool is supported by mahogany shaped side supports, each having fine quality decorative brass mounts.

The side supports being supported by a turned mahogany rail to the top, this having fine quality brass acanthus mounts.

This leads down to a ball bead moulding and is supported by finely cast circular feet, one replaced at some point over the years.

The stool is upholstered with a plum/gold tone striped fabric in excellent condition but this could easily be changed to a fabric of choice once purchased.

Mathew Gregson (1749-1824), from Liverpool, was an upholsterer and cabinetmaker and became a Lancaster freeman in 1779-80, he was the son of Thomas Gregson, a blockmaker from Lancaster.

Mathew Gregson formed a business partnership with Jonathan Bullen in the late 18th century, Mr Bullen as a young man worked for Gillows as a clerk and Gregson & Bullen purchased various pieces of furniture from Gillows being on familiar terms with the company.

A stool designed by Mathew Gregson and of extremely similar design to this stool was illustrated in Ackermann's Repository October 1813, this stool design being based on a Greek console table and a pair of stools after this design can be found in Brighton Pavilion, England.

Design book examples such as this tend to be seen in museums and important houses and are rarely seen on the open market.

This foot stool is in very good original condition for age, is of stable construction and can go straight into a home or collection.

Ref: 'Gillows of Lancaster and London' 1730-1840 by Susan E Stuart - pages

243,244,313,314

'Regency Furniture' by Frances Collard - page 41 plate 5

Size:

Height: 25cm

Width: 42cm

Depth: 32cm

Physical Dimensions

Height

25cm (9.84")

Width

42cm (16.54")

Depth

32cm (12.60")

Declaration

LVS Decorative Arts has dated this Regency Mahogany Scroll Footstool to the Regency era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1211132

Dealers Internal Reference

LVS971

Dealers Notes

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LVS Decorative Arts is a small family run business based in Suffolk, specialising in an eclectic mix of fine quality and decorative antiques from around the world.

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LAPADA & CINOA member

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All furniture is professionally restored to the highest of standards, using traditional methods, we feel that quality restoration is paramount to the longevity of the piece.

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INSURED DELIVERY INCLUDED IN LIST PRICE WITHIN MAINLAND UK FOR A ONE MAN COURIER SERVICE

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Worldwide shipping available, please contact us for a free quote to include professional packing and fully insured services

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PLEASE NOTE: viewing is 'By Appointment' only - please contact Liza a few days in advance to arrange this.

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Payments are accepted by bank transfer or cheque

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Please contact us if any further high definition photographs are required or please visit our own website as follows where you can zoom in on the photos:

www.lvsdecorativearts.co.uk

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You can contact Liza either by email lvsdecorativearts@btinternet.com or telephone 07703306451

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Please bear in mind: antique items for sale may have some wear and marks commensurate with their age which adds to the character of the piece.

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Thank you for viewing our stock and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any further information.

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Description

“

This superb shaped stool in the form of a gout stool is supported by mahogany shaped side supports, each having fine quality decorative brass mounts.

LVS Decorative Arts

fig 1. A nineteenth-century Regency mahogany footstool featuring a scrolled top upholstered in red and gold striped fabric with ornate gilt-metal mounts and ball feet. — fig 1. Superb & Rare 'Design Book' Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Scroll Top Foot Stool in the Manner of Mathew Gregson

The side supports being supported by a turned mahogany rail to the top, this having fine quality brass acanthus mounts.

This leads down to a ball bead moulding and is supported by finely cast circular feet, one replaced at some point over the years.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century Regency mahogany footstool featuring a scrolled top upholstered in red and gold striped fabric with ornate gilt-metal mounts and ball feet. — fig 2. Superb & Rare 'Design Book' Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Scroll Top Foot Stool in the Manner of Mathew Gregson

The stool is upholstered with a plum/gold tone striped fabric in excellent condition but this could easily be changed to a fabric of choice once purchased.

Mathew Gregson (1749-1824), from Liverpool, was an upholsterer and cabinetmaker and became a Lancaster freeman in 1779-80, he was the son of Thomas Gregson, a blockmaker from Lancaster.

fig 3. A nineteenth-century Regency mahogany footstool featuring a scrolled top upholstered in red and gold striped fabric with ornate gilt-metal mounts and ball feet. — fig 3. Superb & Rare 'Design Book' Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Scroll Top Foot Stool in the Manner of Mathew Gregson

Mathew Gregson formed a business partnership with Jonathan Bullen in the late 18th century, Mr Bullen as a young man worked for Gillows as a clerk and Gregson & Bullen purchased various pieces of furniture from Gillows being on familiar terms with the company.

fig 4. A nineteenth-century Regency mahogany footstool featuring a scrolled top upholstered in red and gold striped fabric with ornate gilt-metal mounts and ball feet. — fig 4. Superb & Rare 'Design Book' Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Scroll Top Foot Stool in the Manner of Mathew Gregson

A stool designed by Mathew Gregson and of extremely similar design to this stool was illustrated in Ackermann's Repository October 1813, this stool design being based on a Greek console table and a pair of stools after this design can be found in Brighton Pavilion, England.