Antique Spanish Bench

Found in Béziers and originally out of a masia, near the medieval town of Besalú, this long Spanish bench is a primitive piece hewn for a hard-working house. Benches like this lived along a wall or by the door, somewhere to sit and pull off boots or wait out a hot afternoon in the shade. Its plank seat and back have worn soft and pitted over generations, the scrolled legs and scalloped stretcher cut by hand with more heart than precision. Sylvie sets it in an entryway or down a long hall, with a folded throw and a basket beneath.