Victorian Faux Bamboo Storage Bench with Upholstered Cushioned Seat

Sage Green Upholstered Curule Bench. Provenance: From a New York City Collection. 18" H x 51.5" W x 17" D.

Chartreuse Covered Cushion Seat Acrylic Bench, square tapered legs. 20" H x 53" W x 18" D. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.

Neoclassical Style Wrought Iron Bench, with blue upholstered seat above x-from stretcher supports. 31" H x 48" W x 18" D; seat: 17.5" H.

Pair of petrified wood mineral specimen sculpture bookends, each with two polished faces. Dealer: S138XX

The rectangular padded seat covered in brown leather, opening to reveal a set of library steps, over a solid inlaid seat-rail and ring-turned tapering legs ending in castors. 18in. high, 34 1/2in. wide and 16 1/2in. deep. Opened, 36in. high and 49in. wide. Rooms organized during the Regency period as libraries often had floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The upper shelves were difficult to reach, so movable library stairs were invaluable. Further, libraries were one of the most important rooms in a stately house, symbol of its owner's wealth, culture and status. As a consequence, designers, architects and cabinet or chair makers devoted much attention to its architecture and decoration. Hence, the emrgence of innovative ideas such as our bench. Enter the Regency era metamorphic library chair/bench (chairs are more common than benches)! The tables, chairs and stools containing library steps were patented in Great Britain by Robert Campbell in 1774 but this innovative chair-based design did not become immediately popular. Once the Regency was established, a neo-classical interpretation of Campbell’s Metamorphic Library Chair concept started to become popular in London. Any early attributions rely heavily on two contemporary sketches...

Rare antique wood hand carved gothic revival child settle / small hall bench / foldable Library Ladder, Metamorphic Library steps, 1880s This uniqu...

This superb faux-bamboo giltwood firescreen has been exquisitely crafted with a Japanese- inspired tapestry panel at its centre, which features a colourful design of peacocks assembl...

Set of 3 charming hand decoupaged storage chests or trunks with hinged lids, circa 1910. Imagery is an artfully arranged mix of Victoriana including ...