It is rare to find true primary source historical material. Thankfully it does happen, Time Team find some most weeks! and here is a great example in our auction sale.
In these two early Victorian family portraits the artist, John Bridges has not only produced strong figure studies which become family records, but has included a wealth of historical information within the interiors, none more so than the inclusion of a small circular continental stool which is featured in two family portraits, one of 'Little Betsie' Spiers as a girl in fancy dress painted in 1845 and one of Mrs Richard James Spiers with her baby son painted in 1836.
The stool could have been acquired on a Grand Tour or perhaps bought from an importer. However it came to England it was surely an admired and treasured family possession and to complete the historical circle the very same stool will be sold together in the same sale as the two family portraits on 23 April 2009 in Exeter. The portraits are estimates at £600-800 each and the stool is expected to make £150-250
