What is an antique carved oak settle bench?

A settle bench is a traditional wooden seat featuring a high back and integrated storage beneath a hinged seat box, frequently carved in decorative revival styles during the late nineteenth century.

What materials and construction techniques were used in Victorian oak settles?

These pieces were typically constructed from solid oak using joinery techniques such as mortise and tenon joints, panelled frames, and detailed relief hand-carvings depicting masks, leaves, and geometric motifs.

How do you identify authentic late-Victorian carved oak furniture?

Authentic period pieces display natural hand-carving variations, dark patination in recessed areas, natural oak medullary rays, and historical construction details within the interior box frame.

How can an antique oak hall seat be incorporated into modern interior design?

Position the bench in an entryway or hallway to serve as both functional seating and concealed storage, providing visual contrast against plain wall finishes.

How should an antique oak settle be maintained?

Maintain the timber surface by applying clear beeswax polish twice a year with a soft cloth, keeping the wood away from direct radiators to prevent drying and cracking.

for sale €1,580 $1,715

£1,350

Yolanda Gray Antiques

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Antique Oak Hall Seat

Victorian Carved Oak Seat

Id #SA1167533

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Small Antique English Victorian Carved Oak Bench Box Monks Kitchen Hall Settle (Circa 1880)

Name: Small Antique English Victorian Carved Oak Bench Box Monks Kitchen Hall Settle (Circa 1880)
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1167533
Price: 1350 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Yolanda Gray Antiques

Description

Summary:

·      Item: Victorian Oak Bench

·      Circa: 1880

·      Period: Victorian

·      Provenance England, UK

·      Item: Hall Bench

·      Wood: Solid Oak

·      Foliate scroll carved pediment

·      Moulded top rail

·      Overlapping scale carved rails with central flowerhead

·      Foliate carved panel with diamond lozenge, carved faces to back rest & front

·      Floral lozenge side panels

·      Down-swept carved arms terminating on carved lions

·      Lift-up moulded panelled seat

·      Storage box below seat – ideal for shoes

·      Moulded plinth

·      Original polish & patination

·      Pegged construction

·      Solid in joint

·      Lovely colour & patination

·      Excellent original condition

·      Free delivery to mainland England, Wales & Southern Scotland*

·      14-day free UK returns policy

Description:

This is a fine quality small antique English Victorian oak bench, which is also known as a “settle”, incorporating a useful hinged storage box, decorated with “Green Man” carvings, circa 1880, in excellent original condition. Ideal for use in the hallway for storing shoes & boots. The small antique oak settle comprises a mid-height oak back, boasting a foliate scroll-carved pediment, above a moulded top rail. The back features a lozenge shaped panel incorporating a “Green Man” carved face, flanked by scroll carvings and flower-head carvings. Adjoining the back and seat, are down-swept reeded, segmented carved arms, terminating on carved armrests in the shape of a lion’s body and head, which stare at each other across the seat.

The moulded panelled seat lifts up to reveal a large storage area, which is ideal for storing shoes and boots in the hallway. Below the seat, the front of the Victorian oak settle is decorated with a carved panel, incorporating two “Green Man” carved faces, set with lozenge-shaped panels, flanked by scroll foliate carvings. The settle rests on the original moulded plinth. The sides of the oak bench incorporated floral scribe carvings, set within a moulded panel.

Condition Report:

The carved pediment is detachable, if not required. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, frame, sides and drawer bottoms, but nothing significant considering the age of the item. The bench has been cleaned and French polished by hand in our workshop, to a professional standard. Therefore, the finish, colour and patination are excellent. The original hinges are in good working order. The Victorian oak bench retains its original polish, featuring a rich mid-brown oak colour. There are no breaks to the carvings, back, arms or base of the oak bench. The 19th century settle is well constructed, solid in joint and is ready to be used.

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Price:

The price for this item is £1,350 which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and a 14-day free UK returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling).

14-Days Free UK Returns & Refunds:

A 14-day free “no quibble” returns policy (from the date you receive the item) is available if you are not happy with this item. We will collect the item free of charge from you (we do not charge a return fee / collection fee).

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA and CINOA. Yola Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 45 years.

Ref. 114579

Physical Dimensions

Height

110cm (43.31")

Width

105cm (41.34")

Depth

48cm (18.90")

Declaration

Yolanda Gray Antiques has dated this Victorian Carved Oak Settle to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1167533

Dealers Internal Reference

114579

Dealers Notes

Please contact us on 01829 458 070 or 07960 738 212 to arrange a viewing. Alternatively, please email: info@yolagray.com

Description

Summary:

· Item: Victorian Oak Bench

· Circa: 1880

· Period: Victorian

· Provenance England, UK

· Item: Hall Bench

· Wood: Solid Oak

· Foliate scroll carved pediment

· Moulded top rail

fig 1. A dark carved oak Victorian settle bench featuring a high carved back panel with mask motifs, carved lion armrests, and a box storage base. — fig 1. Small Antique English Victorian Carved Oak Bench Box Monks Kitchen Hall Settle (Circa 1880)

· Overlapping scale carved rails with central flowerhead

· Foliate carved panel with diamond lozenge, carved faces to back rest & front

· Floral lozenge side panels

· Down-swept carved arms terminating on carved lions

fig 2. A dark carved oak Victorian settle bench featuring a high carved back panel with mask motifs, carved lion armrests, and a box storage base. — fig 2. Small Antique English Victorian Carved Oak Bench Box Monks Kitchen Hall Settle (Circa 1880)

· Lift-up moulded panelled seat

· Storage box below seat – ideal for shoes

· Moulded plinth

· Original polish & patination

· Pegged construction

· Solid in joint

· Lovely colour & patination

fig 3. A dark carved oak Victorian settle bench featuring a high carved back panel with mask motifs, carved lion armrests, and a box storage base. — fig 3. Small Antique English Victorian Carved Oak Bench Box Monks Kitchen Hall Settle (Circa 1880)

· Excellent original condition

· Free delivery to mainland England, Wales & Southern Scotland*

· 14-day free UK returns policy

Description:

This is a fine quality small antique English Victorian oak bench, which is also known as a “settle”, incorporating a useful hinged storage box, decorated with “Green Man” carvings, circa 1880, in excellent original condition. Ideal for use in the hallway for storing shoes & boots.

“

The small antique oak settle comprises a mid-height oak back, boasting a foliate scroll-carved pediment, above a moulded top rail.

Yolanda Gray Antiques

The back features a lozenge shaped panel incorporating a “Green Man” carved face, flanked by scroll carvings and flower-head carvings. Adjoining the back and seat, are down-swept reeded, segmented carved arms, terminating on carved armrests in the shape of a lion’s body and head, which stare at each other across the seat.

fig 4. A dark carved oak Victorian settle bench featuring a high carved back panel with mask motifs, carved lion armrests, and a box storage base. — fig 4. Small Antique English Victorian Carved Oak Bench Box Monks Kitchen Hall Settle (Circa 1880)

The moulded panelled seat lifts up to reveal a large storage area, which is ideal for storing shoes and boots in the hallway. Below the seat, the front of the Victorian oak settle is decorated with a carved panel, incorporating two “Green Man” carved faces, set with lozenge-shaped panels, flanked by scroll foliate carvings. The settle rests on the original moulded plinth. The sides of the oak bench incorporated floral scribe carvings, set within a moulded panel.

fig 5. A dark carved oak Victorian settle bench featuring a high carved back panel with mask motifs, carved lion armrests, and a box storage base. — fig 5. Small Antique English Victorian Carved Oak Bench Box Monks Kitchen Hall Settle (Circa 1880)

Condition Report:

The carved pediment is detachable, if not required. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, frame, sides and drawer bottoms, but nothing significant considering the age of the item. The bench has been cleaned and French polished by hand in our workshop, to a professional standard. Therefore, the finish, colour and patination are excellent. The original hinges are in good working order. The Victorian oak bench retains its original polish, featuring a rich mid-brown oak colour. There are no breaks to the carvings, back, arms or base of the oak bench. The 19th century settle is well constructed, solid in joint and is ready to be used.

fig 6. A dark carved oak Victorian settle bench featuring a high carved back panel with mask motifs, carved lion armrests, and a box storage base. — fig 6. Small Antique English Victorian Carved Oak Bench Box Monks Kitchen Hall Settle (Circa 1880)

Price:

The price for this item is £1,350 which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and a 14-day free UK returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling).

fig 7. A dark carved oak Victorian settle bench featuring a high carved back panel with mask motifs, carved lion armrests, and a box storage base. — fig 7. Small Antique English Victorian Carved Oak Bench Box Monks Kitchen Hall Settle (Circa 1880)

14-Days Free UK Returns & Refunds:

A 14-day free “no quibble” returns policy (from the date you receive the item) is available if you are not happy with this item. We will collect the item free of charge from you (we do not charge a return fee / collection fee).

fig 8. A dark carved oak Victorian settle bench featuring a high carved back panel with mask motifs, carved lion armrests, and a box storage base. — fig 8. Small Antique English Victorian Carved Oak Bench Box Monks Kitchen Hall Settle (Circa 1880)

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA and CINOA. Yola Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 45 years.

Ref. 114579