Antique Country French Louis XIV Hall Bench with Trunk

Antique Country French Louis XIV Hall Bench with Trunk will make a stately presence in any room, and is ideal for entryways!  Originally conceived as a place for visitors to await a host upon arrival, the design dates back to the days before telephones when folks would just "drop by" for a visit.  In case the host was not immediately available, they had a place to sit while they waited.  Some ingenious inventor decided to make the most of the space by combining the bench with a trunk, and voila!  This example was crafted from choice quarter-sawn oak, and features a stately design embellished with carved shell, floral and scrollwork in a symmetrical layout that is most visually appealing.  Even the armrests are elegantly designed and carved.  The seat, which works best with a cushion, opens up like a trunk to reveal surprising storage capability, with more of the same shell, floral and scrollwork motifs appearing on the front apron in a horizontal configuration, just above the subtly scrolled apron and urn-shaped feet.
Circa mid-1900s
Measures 49H x 51.5W x 19.5D; seat 18H