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Benches & Stools - General

Benches and stools are some of the first seats created by humans before modern chairs and sofas were designed. Footstools were used by kings or other high-profile dignitaries in ancient Greece and the Byzantine Empire. These were made of bronze or iron and could be folded for easy portability. Although early stools could be decorative, the early history of stools and benches is purely utilitarian. Each bench or stool had a function, the simplest being to rest while eating.

The prayer kneeling bench, or prie dieu, has been used since the 17th century for kneeling while placing sacred texts or religious objects on its shelf. In the 17th century, the gout stool became popular among the wealthy for elevating the feet when one suffered from the unfortunate medical condition. Stools were also used to keep feet raised from cold floors by both the rich and poor classes. During the American Colonial period, the three-legged footstool became popular for its offer of better balance. As the furniture of Europe became more elaborate, so did the stools and benches. One innovative development in stools was the creation of the camel saddle stool originating in Egypt and other parts of North Africa. This seat or footstool is often minimilist in design, although aesthetically pleasing examples made from fine leather and woods can be found.

Benches were also utilitarian in form. They could be used for eating, sitting in church, or waiting for a train. Benches developed in terms of luxury and beauty along with the stool, eventually appearing alongside other European fine furniture as the settee. The mammy bench, or cradle settee, is one of the more creative designs for a bench. It is a bench on rockers with one side closed in for the placement of an infant and the other side open for a person to perform seated chores while rocking the baby.


Quick Facts

  • A contemporary Zaha Hadid Ordrupgaard bench sold for more than $67,000 at a Phillips auction in 2014
  • A contemporary Jenny Holzer truism footstool sold for $37,500 at a Phillips auction in 2014
  • An Antoni Gaudi bench sold for $549,557 at a Christie’s auction in 2011

Recommended Items at Auction

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Timber and steel three seater outdoor bench (46 x 184 x 45cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
Timber and steel three seater outdoor bench (46 x 184 x 45cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD100- AUD150
AUD151 Bid
JUAN CLARÁ AYATS "Girl on a Stool"
Mar 01, 8:45 AM EST
JUAN CLARÁ AYATS "Girl on a Stool"
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: ¥1,350- ¥1,800
¥9000 Bids
1970s teak framed swivel barstool possibly by T.H. Brown (92 x 55cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
1970s teak framed swivel barstool possibly by T.H. Brown (92 x 55cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD300- AUD400
AUD150 Bids
Modern Petrus design barstool for Archirivolto (67 x 41 x 45cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
Modern Petrus design barstool for Archirivolto (67 x 41 x 45cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD150 Bids
Pair of painted foam stools (50 x 46 x 44cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
Pair of painted foam stools (50 x 46 x 44cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD150 Bids
Vinyl upholstered stool on hooped base (51 x 51 x 39cm)
Nov 20, 7:00 AM EST
Vinyl upholstered stool on hooped base (51 x 51 x 39cm)
by dp lawsons
Est: AUD30- AUD50
AUD150 Bids
A large ceramic drum stool decorated with flowers and parrots (H:45.5cm)
Nov 08, 1:00 PM AEDT
A large ceramic drum stool decorated with flowers and parrots (H:45.5cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD150- AUD250
AUD150 Bids
Cesca Style Stools with black frame (pair) 460mm W x 620mm D x 1100mm H. Seat 710mm H
Nov 07, 8:00 PM AEDT
Cesca Style Stools with black frame (pair) 460mm W x 620mm D x 1100mm H. Seat 710mm H
by Lawsons
Est: AUD500- AUD700
AUD150 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Benches & Stools - General


Lawsons

Lawsons

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists