Featured Can you help me identify this piece of furniture?

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by BL89, Aug 19, 2019.

  1. BL89

    BL89 New Member

    Got this out of my mom's estate and have no idea what it is. It looks like the bottom to an old hall tree or entry way bench. Any ideas?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    I think entryway bench is more likely. I don't see anywhere that "hall tree" pieces would have been attached.
     
  3. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    Do those top panels open ? I wonder if its a shoe shine bench?
     
  4. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

  5. BL89

    BL89 New Member

    Top panels do open and originally had locks but that part was modified somewhere along the way.
     
  6. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    any way that's a church bench?
     
  7. Fid

    Fid Well-Known Member

    maybe for the foot end of a high bed to stow away the covers, linen etc. ?
     
  8. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    Agrees, entryway bench with storage below & above seat.
     
  9. silverthwait

    silverthwait Well-Known Member

    Used to be called a deacon's bench, supposedly the prayer books got stored under the seat between use in church. Yours certainly could have been used in a place of worship, given its elaborateness, but there is no religious symbolism in all that ornateness.

    However the general outlines of same were used on farms, in ordinary homes to hold boots in the hallway, as well as the more ostentacious display in the home of Mr, and Mrs. Gotrocks.
     
    DizzyDaff, Jivvy, Bronwen and 5 others like this.
  10. BL89

    BL89 New Member

    Thanks for that insight, very helpful!
     
  11. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Top panels do open and originally had locks

    for placing vestments , garb, and other high value personal items...?

    not yer ordinary hall bench.....
     
  12. silverthwait

    silverthwait Well-Known Member

    OK - so it was a "low" church! :)
     
  13. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    I’m having trouble to find one with back storage, as well.
    I am see the more elaborate ones called Monks Bench, but no back storage.
    Right Church, Wrong Pew? :(
     
  14. James Conrad

    James Conrad Well-Known Member

    Agrees
    Well, as it likely went in a church or mansion it's probably a custom build, the upper storage is unusual.
     
  15. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    ya, i get a lot of hits with Monks Bench too....but that style and those cubbies have yet to be found...

    it's probably custom built ...

    I.m thinking that's a distinct possibility .....;)
     
  16. Fid

    Fid Well-Known Member

    seems not very comfy to sit on. either you have the top panel in the shoulder blades or one of the knobs in the neck.
     
    Bronwen and Christmasjoy like this.
  17. Shwikman

    Shwikman Well-Known Member

    The base and frame seem so heavily built for what it is. What time frame is it?
     
    Bronwen and i need help like this.
  18. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Suspect the panels with the swirly 'grain' have been painted. The 'platform' at the top is unfinished, not meant to be seen?

    Do you mean lock as in a device that requires a key to open or some kind of gizmo to keep panels closed until pulled open? What do you keep in an entry hall small enough for those compartments & needing security measures. I'm leaning toward the bedroom hypothesis because I'm better able to imagine how it would be useful in that setting.
     
    James Conrad likes this.
  19. BL89

    BL89 New Member

    I am not sure what time frame it is. Fishing in the dark on this one.
     
  20. BL89

    BL89 New Member

    Yes there were locks with keys in the top panels but at some point it was modified whereby the locks were removed and pulls were installed. You can see in the back of the panels that the locks were removed. They were square and brass looking rear view and skeleton key hole on the front.
     
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