Bench End
15th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Bench-ends were the side uprights of simple bench seats provided for the congregation in medieval English churches. Many still survive in use today. The form and style of this bench-end, and information from the donor, suggest that this one came from a church in Norfolk or Suffolk. The trefoil top-piece is carved on one side with a monstrous head with horned head-dress and shoulders that become stylised leaves. There was originally a carved figure on the elbow rest.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved oak |
| Brief description | Bench end, English, 1400-1500, from a church |
| Physical description | Bench-end, carved on one side; the upper part of the poppy-head resembles a grotesque mask with horned head dress, the shoulders arranged as foliations; below, at one end, a buttressed and moulded elbow, originally surmounted by a figure. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Mr F. C. Eeles |
| Object history | This is one of four bench-ends from a church in Norfolk or Suffolk, purchased in Bury St Edmund's. They were thought by the donor to have come from the north of Suffolk. Plenty of examples of outward, rather than axially-facing figures placed on the buttresses of bench-ends can be cited from that area, including Wilby or Athelington. The Rattlesden, Suffolk, poppy-head is the best known example of foliage turning into a human mask. The Museum's specimen is different in that the lower part of the carving takes the form of the mask's body. |
| Production | From a church in Norfolk or Suffolk |
| Summary | Bench-ends were the side uprights of simple bench seats provided for the congregation in medieval English churches. Many still survive in use today. The form and style of this bench-end, and information from the donor, suggest that this one came from a church in Norfolk or Suffolk. The trefoil top-piece is carved on one side with a monstrous head with horned head-dress and shoulders that become stylised leaves. There was originally a carved figure on the elbow rest. |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic reference | Charles Tracy, English Medieval Furniture and Woodwork (London, 1988), cat. no. 189.
'BENCH END, one of four (Mus. Nos.W.74-1914 – W.77-1914) carved on one side; the upper part of the poppy-head resembles a grotesque mask with horned head dress, the shoulders arranged as foliations; below, at one end, a buttressed and moulded elbow, originally surmounted by a figure. 104 x 40.06 cm (PL.68).
Given By Mr F. C. Eeles Oak. 15th century 65 X 34.6 cm Mus. No. W.76-1924
From a church in Norfolk or Suffolk, purchased in Bury St Edmund’s, these bench-ends were thought by the donor to have come from the north of Suffolk. Plenty of examples of outward, rather than axially facing figures placed on the buttresses of bench-ends can be cited from that area, including Wilby (FIG.42) or Athelington. The Rattlesden, Suffolk, poppy-head is the best known example of foliage turning into a human mask (FIG.43). The museum's specimen is different in that the lower part of the carving takes the form of the mask’s body.' |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.76-1924 |
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| Record created | June 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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