Seating Benches

Elm, worn pale along the front edge where people sat. Antique benches here come from China, India, Ethiopia and Indonesia, in lacquered elm, teak, pine, stone and plaited leather. Many are from Shanxi Province, including temple benches with carved back panels, a sawhorse bench, a Greek key style bench with pierced end panels and bench-tables that do double duty. Oromo benches from Ethiopia have plaited leather seats, and one has been fitted with a custom cushion.

From Gujarat come carved teak swings, one with ornamental pillars and a canopy, and from Indonesia, benches in reclaimed tamarind and bangkirai. A 17th century stone altar bench, a marble lute-form bench with phoenixes, a cast aluminum antler bench from 1970s San Francisco and a walnut Os de Mouton settee keep things unpredictable. Set one at the foot of a bed, along an entry wall for pulling on boots, or at a long dining table. A bench never makes anyone choose the best seat.