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British Military Ash and Elm Stool, War Department Broad Arrow, London Maker

$1,083.12
£795
€971.72
CA$1,528.99
A$1,576.36
CHF 887.97
MX$20,171.52
NOK 10,246.20
SEK 10,716.92
DKK 7,266.11

About the Item

A pierced oval hand-hold cut directly through the centre of the thick solid elm seat defines this robust British military stool. The rectangular top displays rounded corners and prominent wedged round through-tenons where the four turned uprights penetrate flush with the upper surface. Crafted from dense native hardwoods, the piece pairs an elm slab exhibiting rich, swirling grain with straight-grained ash supports, resulting in a dark, warm finish across all exterior surfaces. The splayed legs feature understated incised ring turning set just below the seat line and again near each foot, providing a neat visual break in the tapering cylindrical profiles. To withstand heavy institutional service, the base structure is braced by a traditional turned H-pattern stretcher arrangement. Each horizontal rail swells gently towards its centre, anchoring the uprights securely to prevent racking and maintain dependable rigidity under constant load. Underneath the seat, the unpolished timber preserves an incised War Department broad arrow mark alongside an impressed 1939 date and a London maker stamp. The central maker lettering remains partly indistinct, though the city name and military broad arrow remain readily legible. Stools bearing these official contract stamps were produced for British military installations, including barracks, mess halls, and supply depots during wartime mobilisation. Standardised contract furniture of this design emphasised durability and rapid handling, with the central aperture allowing the unit to be carried comfortably with one hand. The generous outward splay of the legs creates a stable, low centre of gravity, making the piece well suited for practical modern use as an occasional fireside seat, bedside stand, or lamp table. Measuring 47 cm in height, the stool spans 39 cm by 25.5 cm across the top, widening to 42 cm by 38.5 cm at the feet. Authentic service wear includes scattered surface indentations, minor knocks, rounded edge softening, and tight seasoning fissures around the through-tenons, while the joined frame remains solidly intact throughout. We ship internationally, tracked. Please see our other items for sale, where we combine shipping on multiple lots. We also offer freight shipping for larger furniture pieces.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 18.51 in (47 cm)Width: 16.54 in (42 cm)Depth: 15.16 in (38.5 cm)Seat Height: 15.36 in (39 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1939
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Nottingham, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU9003252609922

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