The House of Miniatures

THoM Product # 40031 - Chippendale Bench

Catalog Description: A miniature upholstered bench to serve as a footstool or a separate seat. A perfect match for the Chippendale Wing Chair, in Federal blue fabric. 1 5/8"h x 2 1/4" x 1 3/4".

Circa: 1760

Style: Chippendale

Period: Colonial

Design © 1978

There is a very small difference between this type of bench and what is commonly called the footstool. The primary difference is in the dimensions, since it was usually longer and slightly higher than a footstool and was used in place of a chair. In the late 17th century there was seldom more than one chair in the house and that was reserved for the master of the house. The rest of the members of the household were relegated to benches, upholstered or hard wood depending upon their station. Later in the 18th century this condition was reversed and the chair was no longer considered a seat of special honor. The progress of women's position in the household of the 18th century can almost be measured by this change. It is also due to this change that makes both the Chippendale and Queen Anne bench a rare find for today's antique collector. Once the bench began to be replaced in daily usage, by the full backed chair, it was used primarily in the bedrooms and hallways of the Colonial home and seldom called upon to fill its original role except when company placed extreme demands on the home's seating capacity. Most of these benches were completely upholstered or decorated with needlework. Leg styles ranged from the ornately carved cabriole to very plain straight legs

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