This is a fine quality small antique English Victorian oak bench, which is also known as a “settle”, incorporating a useful hinged storage box, decorated with “Green Man” carvings, circa 1880, in excellent original condition.  Ideal for use in the hallway for storing shoes & boots.

Summary:

• Item: Victorian Oak Bench
• Circa: 1880
• Period: Victorian
• Provenance England, UK
• Item: Hall Bench
• Wood: Solid Oak
• Foliate scroll carved pediment
• Moulded top rail
• Overlapping scale carved rails with central flowerhead
• Foliate carved panel with diamond lozenge, carved faces to back rest & front
• Floral lozenge side panels
• Down-swept carved arms terminating on carved lions
• Lift-up moulded panelled seat
• Storage box below seat – ideal for shoes
• Moulded plinth
• Original polish & patination
• Pegged construction
• Solid in joint
• Lovely colour & patination
• Excellent original condition
• Free delivery to mainland England, Wales & Southern Scotland*
• 14-day free UK returns policy

Description:

This is a fine quality small antique English Victorian oak bench, which is also known as a “settle”, incorporating a useful hinged storage box, decorated with “Green Man” carvings, circa 1880, in excellent original condition.  Ideal for use in the hallway for storing shoes & boots.  The small antique oak settle comprises a mid-height oak back, boasting a foliate scroll-carved pediment, above a moulded top rail.  The back features a lozenge shaped panel incorporating a “Green Man” carved face, flanked by scroll carvings and flower-head carvings.  Adjoining the back and seat, are down-swept reeded, segmented carved arms, terminating on carved armrests in the shape of a lion’s body and head, which stare at each other across the seat.

The moulded panelled seat lifts up to reveal a large storage area, which is ideal for storing shoes and boots in the hallway.  Below the seat, the front of the Victorian oak settle is decorated with a carved panel, incorporating two “Green Man” carved faces, set with lozenge-shaped panels, flanked by scroll foliate carvings.  The settle rests on the original moulded plinth.  The sides of the oak bench incorporated floral scribe carvings, set within a moulded panel.

The Victorian oak bench boasts a stunning warm brown oak colour. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic colour, depth and patination this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received.

This carved oak settle would look superb in a variety of rooms from the hallway or kitchen.  This monk’s bench would certainly grace any home and a great investment, as it’s an extremely functional item. So, don’t miss out on your chance to own a lovely piece of furniture.

History of the Antique Oak Settle:

The “settle” shares with the chest and the chair the distinction of great antiquity. Its high back was a protection from the draughts of medieval buildings, protection which was sometimes increased by the addition of winged ends or a wooden canopy. It was most frequently placed near the fire in the common sitting-room. Antique settles are commonly movable, but occasionally fixed in the home or pub / tavern. According to the historian Claudia Kinmonth, in early furniture inventories, the use of the terms bench and settle was interchangeable, but generally, a settle was understood to have fixed arms either end of the bench.

Constructed of oak or other hardwood, it was extremely heavy, solid, and durable. Few English examples of earlier date than the middle of the 16th century are extant; survivals from the Jacobean period are more numerous. Settles of the more expensive type were often elaborately carved or incised; others were divided into plain panels. They were commonly used in farmhouse kitchens or manorial halls.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Settle_(furniture)

Source: https://www.bada.org/features/terms-trade-settle#:~:text=Further%20protection%20could%20be%20offered,currently%20available%20from%20BADA%20members

Source: https://www.smow.com/blog/2020/04/lost-furniture-design-classics-bacon-settle/

History of Green Man Carvings:

The Green Man is a symbolic motif of a face covered in or disgorging leaves and vines, found across many cultures and with roots in both ancient, possibly pagan, traditions and Christian medieval art, though its exact origin and meaning remain debated. The figures appeared in Roman times and became widespread in medieval European churches, where they may have represented the natural cycle of growth, fertility, or the fleeting nature of life. The figures evolved stylistically and served various purposes, sometimes seen as a symbol of nature, other times interpreted as a demonic figure, or even simply an architectural convention.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Man#:~:text=%22Green%20Man%22%20type%20foliate%20heads,the%2013th%20to%2015th%20centuries.

Source: https://www.rosslynchapel.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/256_Rosslyn_Article_The_Green_man_hr.pdf

Condition Report:

This is a fine quality small antique English Victorian oak bench, which is also known as a “settle”, incorporating a useful hinged storage box, decorated with “Green Man” carvings, circa 1880, in excellent original condition.  Ideal for use in the hallway for storing shoes & boots.  The carved pediment is detachable, if not required.  Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, frame, sides and drawer bottoms, but nothing significant considering the age of the item.  The bench has been cleaned and French polished by hand in our workshop, to a professional standard.  Therefore, the finish, colour and patination are excellent. The original hinges are in good working order. The Victorian oak bench retains its original polish, featuring a rich mid-brown oak colour. There are no breaks to the carvings, back, arms or base of the oak bench.  The 19^th century settle is well constructed, solid in joint and is ready to be used.

Dimensions:

External Height (Including Finial) = 110cm / 43¼” / 3ft 7¼”

Height (Excluding Finial) = 95.5cm / 37½” / 3ft 1½”

External Width = 105cm / 41⅜” / 3ft 5⅜”

External Depth = 48cm / 18⅞” / 1ft 6⅞”

Back Height (Including Finial) = 65cm / 25½” / 2ft 1½”

Back Height (Excluding Finial) = 50.5cm / 19⅞” / 1ft 7⅞”

Seat Height = 44.5cm / 17½” / 1ft 5½”

Seat Width (Between Arms) = 84cm / 33” / 2ft 9”

Seat Depth = 45cm / 17¾” / 1ft 5¾”

Terms & Conditions:

Before purchasing this item, please ensure that you have read and agreed to our Terms & Conditions of Sale.  Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns regarding these terms, we encourage you to contact us to discuss them in advance.

Ref. 114579