Louis XVI Style Parcel Cream and Brown Painted Bench

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...

The circular container carved with pearls and rinceaux and supported by an inswept strung-piaster quadripartite stand with a central finial and hung with swags raised on a conforming...

This pair of Louis XVI style benches showcases exceptional craftsmanship and elegant design. Lacquered in a sophisticated palette of delicate cream and ivory tones, accented with str...

Dimensions: Height: 17 3/4in Width: 31in Depth: 15in This is a beautiful pair of Louis XVI style distressed and upholstered benches. They were made with one thing in mind and that i...