Form
1480-1520 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
In the early modern period, forms, benches and stools were a more common form of domestic seating than chairs which were normally reserved for figures of authority. Forms could be built against a wall, or mobile, to be placed against a wall or used at a table for dining. This bench, although 500 years old and well-used, has survived in part because of its very strong construction, superbly-designed to maintain rigidity. It is dateable on the basis of the carved rail and end supports.
This highly-regarded example is said to have come from Barningham Hall, Norfolk.
On loan to Woolsthorpe Manor (National Trust).
This highly-regarded example is said to have come from Barningham Hall, Norfolk.
On loan to Woolsthorpe Manor (National Trust).
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Oak, with carved decoration |
Brief description | English, 1450-1530, oak, Barningham Hall, 78/1629 |
Physical description | Form or bench. Below the seat on 'front' and 'back' is a rail. Along the front this rail (almost complete but for small losses at both ends), about 22mm thick, is carved in the solid with eight ogee arches, the two central arches further decorated with cusps. The back rail, 10mm thick, is mostly missing except for end pieces that match the front rail. The remains of two pegs at the centre of the front rail appear to suggest that there was a mid-brace between the front and back rails. The solid supports at either end (varying in thickness between 45-51mm) are carved with'buttresses' to the front, and have each an ogee arch (with bevelled edges) below. Construction Joined. The oak used is knotty. Each long rail sits in a deep slot cut in both supports, and held with two large pegs at each end. The underside of the bench top (40mm thick) has been ploughed with two grooves to receive the rails (the thick front rail has been rebated to create a tongue). The plank top is morticed to fit over twin shouldered, through-tenons cut in the solid wood of both supports, and pegged from the side into the tenon. Modifications Numerous abrasions. Both rails with losses (see above). An iron strap has been nailed on the inside face of one support. The supports are more worn down on the side of the complete rail (the 'front') than the other. This might be explained if it faced away from a long table, with the sitters' back-heavy weight on this side. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | Bought for £20 from J.S. Mott, Saint Mary's, Cromer. See RF 21/1570. Bernard Rackham (24/1/1924) noted on the RF "...I was at Barningham Hall, near Cromer... to see some stained glass. I casually caught sight of an oak bench, of which the rough sketch I made is attached, standing in a ? outside the kitchen & evidently being used for menial purposes. [Physical description follows] Barningham belongs to Mr J.S. Mott but has been let by him for many years & is now being offered to new tenants. We are in treaty with him through his sol[icitor] Mr E.M. Hansell for the purchase of stained glass & Mr Hansell seemed to think that we might be able to acquire the bench at a fair price." Oliver Bracket (9/3/1921) noted on the RF "It came from Barningham Hall in Norfolk. It is a rare object of which no similar example exists in England, as far as we know." Barningham Hall is near Matlask, Norfolk; the house was built for Sir Edward Paston in 1612 on land purchased in the 16th century from the long-established Wynter family. An earlier manor house nearby and is said to have been demolished by Paston. The house seen today is the result of renovations, alterations and enlargement carried out in the early 19th century. On loan to Woolsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire (National Trust), and displayed in the downstairs kitchen, 2014. |
Summary | In the early modern period, forms, benches and stools were a more common form of domestic seating than chairs which were normally reserved for figures of authority. Forms could be built against a wall, or mobile, to be placed against a wall or used at a table for dining. This bench, although 500 years old and well-used, has survived in part because of its very strong construction, superbly-designed to maintain rigidity. It is dateable on the basis of the carved rail and end supports. This highly-regarded example is said to have come from Barningham Hall, Norfolk. On loan to Woolsthorpe Manor (National Trust). |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | W.67-1921 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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