Antique Painted Bench Indian 19th Century Raj Era Colourful Reclaimed Decorative

A striking two‑seater settee, likely mid to later 20th century, in the African tribal style. Hardwood, carved and banded with contrasting bone inlay, accented with rows of metal stud...

A special, remarkably decorative, extremely rare and wonderfully striking antique European folk-art carved chair in lovely antique condition. Most likely made around 1770 in the Swiss Alps, this fabulous museum-quality historical artefact is a stunningly carved and still very usable chair, which will add a fabulously rustic, Alpine folk-art aesthetic as well as cultural interest, artistic charm and historic fascination to any interior. An incredibly rare and special chair, this was traditionally handcrafted from quality solid wood and has a charming walnut single-piece trapezoid seat displaying lovely grain, which the eight-sided legs slot into at an angle, and the back vertically. The legs are likely made from oak with the show-stopping back carved from fruitwood. A truly captivating chair, the standout feature is its extraordinary pierce-relief carved back, which casts a stunning silhouette, and its carving depicts two intertwining figure-of-eight snakes set on a shapely plinth, topped by a carved and 1471 dated crown design. Crafted in two parts, the folk-art back carving is wonderfully detailed and vernacular in style, and the pierce-relief carving denotes it as being particularly old and rare and differentiates it from later Alpine chairs, which feature solid backs onto which decorations are carved. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE The Middle Ages were particularly turbulent in the Swiss Alps, as post-Roman feudal factions competed for power for more than a millennium in this important land, which intersected the larger powers of Italy, France, Germany and Austria. We believe this chair was most likely made in 1771 and that its 1471 date carving commemorated three-hundred years of the Three Leagues Alliance, (1471-1779), a coalition of three political leagues of free peoples which was created to bring about strength, unity and peace to the people in the warring Swiss Alps region (think William Tell, the revolutionary Swiss folk hero, who stood up for the peasantry against tithe-taking feudal barons in the Swiss Alps, and who was first referenced in 1474.) The free people of the Swiss Alps would have well known that peace for them and their entire region was not only brought about by, but also largely depended on, the Three Leagues Alliance, and so commemorating its inauguration date of 1471 is more than fitting for a craftsman from this region. And as snakes symbolise healing and protection, their use in conjunction with the 1471 commemorative date perfectly displays what the Swiss Alp craftsman was memorializing when creating this fascinating chair. Similar chairs can be referred to as Swiss, German, Alpine, Alsatian, Tyrolean, Sgabello or Escabelle chairs...

A magnificently attractive and extremely impressive teak root bench in lovely vintage condition. Likely crafted around 1960-1980, this super statement bench could be used indoors or ...

A gorgeous and extremely rare three-seater antique Art Nouveau Vienna Secession bentwood J & J Kohn bench in wonderful condition. Made by iconic Austrian father and son bentwood furn...

19th century Swat Valley bench with carved back in geometric patterns, large front legs with carved finials, and a woven seat. Measures: Width: 104”( he...

A sculptural and solidly constructed Indian bench dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. The back is composed of vertical spindles capped with carved finials and joined by...

Charming 19th-century Spanish bench, crafted from wood and decorated with rich polychrome in shades of green and gold featuring classic motifs. The backrest boasts an elegant composi...

Antique hand painted long pine bench is embellished with traditional Eastern European folk art painting with blue accents and red flower bouquets all set against a brown background. ...