Oak, bench, early 16th century

The seat rests on two broad supports with shaped edges, which widen towards the ground, where they terminate in ogee-shaped openings. They are united beneath the seat by two rails with ogee-shaped mouldings.

15th June 2005
Notes from Loan visit to Oakwell Hall:
Plank top 27mm thick

Both legs with good convex warp.
Low level of wear under the feet, but some worm.
One leg split and repaired (bad knot?), with filler perhaps.
The plank top with moulded edge, and two channels running full length along the underside into which the stretchers (19mm thick) are fitted. The channels run through to the ends, extending 2.5cm beyond the legs.
Two large rectangular plugged mortises at one end, for which no obvious explanation.

Irregular square pegs, slightly proud.
The legs and shoulders must be fitted together, then the top applied and joined.

Summary: Plausible for c.1500. Some stain.

Bought with 262-1908 for £30 (in lot of items of carving, furniture and stained & painted glass nos. 244 to 279 totalling £116 10s: RP2660-1908, RP2661/1908, RP1201/1908) from T. Charbonnier, Art Gallery, Lynmouth

Notes from R.P. M266/1908 (see also M2389/08 in same file)

25/5/08 Report, A F Kendrick to the Director
about the furniture selected for purchase at Charbonnier's. Among the nine items listed is "1. An oak draw-table and bench, from Broadway, near Ilminster, Somerset. L of table when closed L of bench 5 ft 3 in. A rare and valuable example of Tudor furniture of the First half of the 16th century…a somewhat similar table and bench, though later in date, illustrated in Macquoid's English Furniture, Vol I, fig.178…one foot rail missing"

Handwritten margin note "leg of table damaged-bench cracked".

Report, A B Skinner to the Director
"Our collection of English furniture requires much strengthening in order to make it representative, and (these) examples…will fill several important gaps…I do not think it likely that frequent opportunities will occur for securing specimens like (1) the table and bench…."

The Director, Mr Ogilvie
recommends approval of the purchase "as an opportunity for making good deficiencies to which attention has been drawn.."

On loan to Oakwell Hall.

263-1908