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 placing of the seated female figure (now damaged), facing outwards rather than in line with the bench-end, is typical of some Suffolk churches. Along with damage to the figure's face, this bench-end has suffered the loss of its distinctive 'poppy-head' motif at the top
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Carved oak |
| Brief description | English, 1400-1500 |
| Physical description | Bench-end, carved on one side; projecting elbow buttressed and moulded on the upper part and surmounted by a seated female figure facing outwards; the poppy-head is missing. |
| 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. |
| 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 placing of the seated female figure (now damaged), facing outwards rather than in line with the bench-end, is typical of some Suffolk churches. Along with damage to the figure's face, this bench-end has suffered the loss of its distinctive 'poppy-head' motif at the top |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic reference | Charles Tracy, English Medieval Furniture and Woodwork (London, 1988), cat. no. 190.
'BENCH END, one of four (Mus. Nos.W.74-1914 – W.77-1914) carved on one side; projecting elbow buttressed and moulded on the upper part and surmounted by a seated female figure facing outwards; the poppy-head is missing (PL.69).
Given By Mr F. C. Eeles Oak. 15th century 65 X 34.6 cm
Mus. No.W.77-1924
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.77-1924 |
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| Record created | June 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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