Bench Ends thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Bench Ends

ca. 1500-1520 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Devon (made)
Cornwall (made)

These are typical of many bench ends from the West Country (south-west England). The motifs on the shields have been identified as the Instruments of the Passion, which were used to torture Jesus Christ before his death. But the inclusion of what may be a book or a wrist-guard suggests that they could represent the tools of a craftsman's trade.


Object details

Categories
Furniture
Religion
Access_to_Images 2003
SCRAN
Object type
Bench ends
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Bench End
  • Pew End
Materials and techniques
Oak
Brief description
Bench ends, oak carved with a panel bordered by leaf ornament, and enclosing tracery with two shields, made in Devon or Cornwall, ca.1500-1520
Physical description
Bench-end, square headed, carved with a panel bordered by leaf ornament, and enclosing tracery with two shields. The shields on W.17-1913 contain a hammer and what may be a book or a wrist-guard; the shields on W.18-1913 contain a hammer and pincers. Punched decoration on the shields.
Dimensions
  • Height: 80cm
NH 19.1.10
Gallery label
Two bench ends About 1500-1520 These are typical of may West Country bench ends. The motifs on the shields have been identified as the Instruments of the Passion, used to torture Christ before his death. But the inclusion of an arm brace suggests that they probably represent the tools of a craftsman's trade. Oak Made in Devon or Cornwall V&A: W.17 and 18-1913 Cat. 271(2003)
Production
Made in Devon or Cornwall
Subjects depicted
Hammer
Tongs
Book
Summary
These are typical of many bench ends from the West Country (south-west England). The motifs on the shields have been identified as the Instruments of the Passion, which were used to torture Jesus Christ before his death. But the inclusion of what may be a book or a wrist-guard suggests that they could represent the tools of a craftsman's trade.
Bibliographic references
  • Charles Tracy, English Medieval Furniture and Woodwork (Victoria and Albert Museum, 1988) nos. 201-202 'BENCH-ENDS, one of two (Mus. Nos. W.17-1913 & W.18-1913), square-headed, each carved with a panel bordered by leaf ornament, and enclosing tracery with two shields on one a hammer and unidentified image (possibly a book, or even a wrist-guard), and the other a hammer and pincers; punched decoration on the shields (PLS. 72a & b). Devon or East Cornwall Oak. Early 16th century 80.3 x 43.2 cm Mus. No. W.17-1913 Two of a set of fourteen bench-ends from a private museum formed early in the 19th century by the Clarkes of Bridwell, near Tiverton and sold at Christie’s, Feb.13, 1913. Stylistically these are typical of a very large class of Devonshire and Cornwall bench-ends. The motifs depicted were identified in the previous catalogue with the instruments of the Passion. However, if the unidentified image is a book, the Instruments of the Passion hypothesis would be undermined. The possibility that it is supposed to represent a wrist-guard suggests that the carver was depicting the tools of a craftsman’s trade. There is a precedent for this on the stylistically comparable screen fragment in St Ives Church, Cornwall depicting the implements of Ralph Clies, master-smith (FIG.45)'
  • Marks, R & Williamson, P. (Eds.), Gothic. Art for England 1400-1547, London, V&A, 2003
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
W.17, 18-1913

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Record createdOctober 7, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O84699/bench-ends-unknown/
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