Fantastic, slatted, French farmhouse bench / coffee table with handles on 4 legs, circa 1930's - 40's.
This piece came from an old barn on a farm in SW France.
It is made of solid oak, and was hand-crafted by an artisan with very specific skills, designed, created and used, like a portable, work bench or "stretcher", (also known as a “pig bench” in French), for the purpose of carrying large cuts of meat, hence the 2 handles on either end, the slatted sections in the middle, the four legs, and the 2 "stretches" of wood in between the legs (see photos.)
The piece has very specific design features, as it was not only used as a work bench, but also meant to be carried by two people (1 on each end), which is why the handles are long, and were carved specifically, to conform to the shape of a hand, making it easier to transport from one place to another (see photos.). Another interesting aspect, are two areas on one side of the piece that look like thin slots, where someone could insert tools to do their work (see photos.) The entire slatted section in the middle, is held together with an old-fashioned, mortise and tenon joint system (no screws or nails), further adding to its charm (see photos.)
This piece is in very good, original and vintage condition, as it was restored by first deep cleaning with a power washer, a long process of natural air drying, then nourishing the wood with four coats of cold-pressed, flaxseed oil, to bring back the natural, warm, rich color of the oak, then waxed with natural beeswax, giving it a lovely, subtle gloss, with respect to the original patina. Additionally, one wood "stretch", in between 2 legs on one end of the piece, has been replaced with a new, solid, piece of oak, also treated, oiled and waxed, to match the rest of the piece.
There are, of course, some light marks, signs of age and previous use commensurate with time, as well as a patina of time, on the overall structure (see photos.) Some heavier marks, signs of age and previous use in certain areas, like the 4 handles, edges, slats, legs and bottoms of the feet, as can be expected for a piece of this age, as it was truly used as it was designed. Although the 4 legs are not completely aligned, the piece itself, rests evenly, and is both solid and sturdy.
Apart from being truly difficult to find these days, what also makes this beautiful, hand-crafted, original statement piece, that much more special and unique, is that it can be used for multiple purposes. It can be used as both a bench in an entryway or large foyer, in a rustic-contemporary home, farmhouse, chalet or ski lodge, as a luggage rack or bench for the end of bed, or as decor in a restaurant or microbrewery.
It can also be easily converted into a tall, coffee table if one decided to, by placing a piece of customized glass, over the slats (see dimensions below), and used in any of the above-mentioned spaces.
All photos taken in natural, outdoor light, so colors may vary, based upon brightness, angles and perspective in which they are viewed.
Dimensions:
H: 56 cm x W: 200 cm x D: 71 cm
Dimensions of inner slatted section:
W: 113.5 cm x D: 57.5 cm
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