A PAIR OF EARLY VICTORIAN OAK LONG STOOLS

The design of these stools is closely related to that of the furniture supplied
under A.W.N. Pugin by J. G. Crace and Gillows for the new Houses of
Parliament as rebuilt following the devastating fire of 1834. This design of
chamfered square leg with recessed H-stretcher, executed in oak, is found to
much of the seat furniture produced for the Palace of Westminster throughout
the middle years of the 19th century (see D. Cannadine et al., The Houses of
Parliament: History, Art Architecture, London, 2000, p. 171). Whilst it is
possible that these stools may have been commissioned by the Londonderrys
directly, perhaps for Garron Tower, Northern Ireland, it seems more likely
perhaps that they originate from the Palace of Westminster, especially given
the family’s long connection with Government. It seems likely however
that they have been in the possession of the Londonderrys since at least the
late 19th century as the en suite chair, which remains in the Londonderry
collection, appears in an undated 19th century family photograph.