What is a bacon settle and what was its original purpose?

A bacon settle is a traditional high-backed wooden bench incorporating a cabinet built into the rear structure. Historically placed near hearths in country homes, the rear cupboard was used to hang and cure sides of bacon while the seat provided warmth and shelter from drafts.

What materials were typically used in Victorian bacon settles?

Victorian examples were predominantly constructed from solid hardwoods such as walnut, oak, and mahogany. The backs often incorporated fabric-lined panels or fielded timber panels, held together using traditional mortise and tenon joinery.

How can you identify authentic nineteenth-century settles?

Authentic pieces feature period joinery, such as hand-cut dovetails and pegged joints, alongside age-consistent wear on footrests and seat boards. Maker marks, brass maker plates, or stamped inventory numbers on the rear frame further verify nineteenth-century provenance.

How do you style a Victorian bacon settle in a contemporary interior?

Place the piece in an entryway or expansive hallway to serve as both functional seating and a focal statement. Pair the dark timber with neutral wall tones and modern architectural lighting to contrast the ornate historic carving.

How should a carved walnut settle be maintained?

Apply a high-quality beeswax polish twice a year using a soft cloth to nourish the timber and preserve the patina. Dust regularly with a dry microfiber cloth, avoiding liquid cleaners and direct heat sources to prevent wood shrinkage or cracking.

for sale €11,642 $12,637

£9,950

Royal House Antiques

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High Back Hall Bench

Carved Walnut Settle

Hampton and Sons Furniture

Id #SA1059683

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Finest Quality Hampton & Son's Antique Victorian Walnut Hand Carved Bacon Settle

Name: Finest Quality Hampton & Son's Antique Victorian Walnut Hand Carved Bacon Settle
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1059683
Price: 9950 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Royal House Antiques

Description

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, Museum quality Hampton & Son's of London hand carved solid Walnut and Oak Bacon Settle bench

Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price

Hampton & Son's was opened in 1830 by William Hampton as a shop for the sale of general household furniture, located on Cranbourn Street. Their sofas and chairs became popular during the Edwardian era amongst the upper class. They made the furniture for the Park Lounge in the Dorchester Hotel in London and the Royal Yacht Britannia. International customers also included the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maharajah of Kashmir. Hampton & Sons had the Royal Warrant of Appointment to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

This is, simply put the finest example of this type of bench you will ever see. Hand carved from solid slabs of English Walnut and Oak, it is extra large (it dismantles into two easy to transport and install pieces) the arms depict Hounds heads with the side and central back panels being ornately carved with grape vine detailing, the central back panels have Jacobean style Linen fold carvings, the base fronts have what look to be Shakespearian heads surrounded flowing floral details, the sides have similar details again to the base but with Armorial shields

The piece retains its original key which is temperamental, it operates the back two cupboards which open to reveal coat and umbrella storage, the umbrella section has the original zink lined drip tray. The base seats lift up to offer large amounts of shoe storage. The bottom right seat has the original stamp Hampton & Son's with the order number 4552

This piece just screams English country house decadence, this is the conversation piece of all hallway conversation pieces! As mentioned above, being so large, it has been designed to slip in to two pieces, the back cupboard is one and the base another, the arms remove which provide most of the stability when joining them back together

In terms of condition the timber has been lightly cleaned hand condition waxed and hand polished, it has a wonderful period patina to it

Dimensions

Height:- 216cm

Width:- 146cm

Depth:- 60cm

Seat height:- 45.5cm

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask

Any questions please feel free to ask.

Physical Dimensions

Height

216cm (85.04")

Width

146cm (57.48")

Depth

60cm (23.62")

Declaration

Royal House Antiques has dated this Carved Walnut Bacon Settle to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1059683

Description

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, Museum quality Hampton & Son's of London hand carved solid Walnut and Oak Bacon Settle bench

Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price

“

Hampton & Son's was opened in 1830 by William Hampton as a shop for the sale of general household furniture, located on Cranbourn Street.

Royal House Antiques

Their sofas and chairs became popular during the Edwardian era amongst the upper class. They made the furniture for the Park Lounge in the Dorchester Hotel in London and the Royal Yacht Britannia. International customers also included the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maharajah of Kashmir. Hampton & Sons had the Royal Warrant of Appointment to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

fig 1. A tall Victorian carved walnut bacon settle featuring a high back with fabric-lined cupboard doors, carved lion armrests, a top canopy shelf, and a bench base with carved lower panels. — fig 1. Finest Quality Hampton & Son's Antique Victorian Walnut Hand Carved Bacon Settle

This is, simply put the finest example of this type of bench you will ever see. Hand carved from solid slabs of English Walnut and Oak, it is extra large (it dismantles into two easy to transport and install pieces) the arms depict Hounds heads with the side and central back panels being ornately carved with grape vine detailing, the central back panels have Jacobean style Linen fold carvings, the base fronts have what look to be Shakespearian heads surrounded flowing floral details, the sides have similar details again to the base but with Armorial shields

fig 2. A tall Victorian carved walnut bacon settle featuring a high back with fabric-lined cupboard doors, carved lion armrests, a top canopy shelf, and a bench base with carved lower panels. — fig 2. Finest Quality Hampton & Son's Antique Victorian Walnut Hand Carved Bacon Settle

The piece retains its original key which is temperamental, it operates the back two cupboards which open to reveal coat and umbrella storage, the umbrella section has the original zink lined drip tray. The base seats lift up to offer large amounts of shoe storage. The bottom right seat has the original stamp Hampton & Son's with the order number 4552

fig 3. A tall Victorian carved walnut bacon settle featuring a high back with fabric-lined cupboard doors, carved lion armrests, a top canopy shelf, and a bench base with carved lower panels. — fig 3. Finest Quality Hampton & Son's Antique Victorian Walnut Hand Carved Bacon Settle

This piece just screams English country house decadence, this is the conversation piece of all hallway conversation pieces! As mentioned above, being so large, it has been designed to slip in to two pieces, the back cupboard is one and the base another, the arms remove which provide most of the stability when joining them back together