Description

An attractive turned oak stool with three glass insulating legs, circa 1800.

This kind of stool was used in electrostatic experiments and even medical treatments. These stool are also known as ‘lightning stools’, and were used in conjunction with electrostatic machines, of the kind typically offered by makers such as Edward Nairne, George Adams the Younger and Jesse Ramsden. 

This is a variant on the more commonly seen square stool with four glass legs. In addition the legs are not tapered as is sometimes seen. For this reason we have suggested a slightly later date than usual, circa 1800, though an earlier date remains possible.

Very good condition: some wear and marking to the surface, and clearly well used, but very sturdy and with the glass legs completely undamaged.