Long French wabi-sabi bench in weathered pine – circa 1900
An exceptionally long French farmhouse bench from circa 1900, made of solid pine. The beautifully dry, light and lived-in patina gives the bench exactly that calm wabi-sabi look you cannot go looking for, but which can only develop through more than a century of use.
The narrow seat rests on two wide, sculpturally shaped trestle legs. Their pronounced silhouette and sturdy feet give the bench an almost architectural form, with a touch of primitive folk art. Because there is no long stretcher between the legs, the construction looks strikingly open and airy. This is original to the bench and not a later alteration.
The wood shows its history without apologising for it. The weathered seat has softly worn edges, old scratches, discolouration, drying cracks and visible wooden inserts from historic repairs. The lighter top contrasts beautifully with the warmer, dark brown tones of the legs.
With a length of no less than 219 cm, this is a particularly spacious piece of furniture. Beautiful at a long dining table, but equally strong in a hallway, kitchen, dressing room or gallery-like space. The bench can also be used as a low display table for books, ceramics, textiles or sculptures.
An honest and powerful piece of French country furniture that fits effortlessly into a wabi-sabi, Japandi, Belgian, rustic modern or understated eclectic interior.
Origin and dating
France, circa 1900.
Material
Solid pine.
Dimensions
Width: 219 cm
Depth: 36 cm
Height: 46 cm
Seat height: 46 cm
Condition
Good antique condition with clear signs of use and age. The wood has a dry, weathered patina with wear, colour differences, old cracks and a few visible wooden inserts from historic repairs. The seat has a slight natural curve. The bench is stable and ready to use.
* SOLD *
More about this style: French country living: wood, stone and the calm of country life · What is wabi-sabi living, and why does imperfection make an interior more beautiful?
