Rare 17th c. Bench

France, 18th Century

$2,595

A bench with a back this tall had one job, to catch the fire's heat and hold the draft off your shoulders. Found in Montpellier but built in Normandy in the 1600s, it stands on solid plank sides that curl into rounded ears at the top, a wide seat above an arched cutout at the foot. A high-backed bench like this is a settle, pulled up close to the hearth where its tall back trapped the warmth and its solid sides kept the cold from creeping in, the warmest and best seat in an old stone house. Sylvie would set it in an entryway, styled with a stack of old books and her shoes from the day.

Minor variations from the images may occur unless otherwise noted. All sales are final.

Age:: 18th Century
Country of Origin:: France
Material:: Wood
Dimensions:: 32.0" H x 33.0" W x 17.5" D

Notes from Sylvie:

Dear collector, as with many antiques, this piece may show signs of its age, including subtle repairs, a bit of movement, cracks, scratches, small holes, and surface variation from years of use. The bench is very sturdy, with scratches and small holes throughout that reflect its long history and give the wood the kind of character that only comes with years of use.

All items are final sale.