Regency Rosewood 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...

A carved and gilded window seat in the English Regency style. The upholstered and gently curved moulded ends are decorated with carved paterae and rest on Greek key pattern carved ra...

Wonderful elegant form with a rectangular shape seat and curved back with scrolled reeded arms. Loose cushion seat raised on saber legs with cup casters. Great color and patina. A gr...

With rectangular upholstered seat. [used fabric]. With splayed legs and curved stretchers.

Rectangular with needlepoint seat, raised on bamboo turned legs. Estate of Martin Feldstein.

Typical form with upholstery in usable condition. Scroll back and raised on circular tapered legs with casters.