bench
- unknown artist
Unknown artist, Bench, early 1800s. Pine; 41½ × 82¼ × 24 in. Museum purchase, 1971.15.
Crafted in New Mexico in the 19th century this Territorial style bench is made out of local pine. This straight grained wood lent itself to furniture with straight lines. In this bench curved decorative elements can be seen in the urn shapes along the base and back, as well as four twisted (solomonic) columns. It appears that the lumber used in this bench was hand adzed indicating it was likely produced prior to the mid 1800s, when the first New Mexican lumber mill was established. Travelers to New Mexico during the 19th century commented on the scarcity of furniture in houses so the Denver Art Museum is fortunate to have a fine example from the period.
-- Julie Wilson Frick and Donna Pierce, 2015
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