Sint-Willibrordus Church Almelo Long Bench from Jan De Jong, 1964

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Designed by Jan de Jong for the Sint-Willibrordus church in Almelo, the Netherlands, in 1964, this long wooden bench embodies … Read more Designed by Jan de Jong for the Sint-Willibrordus church in Almelo, the Netherlands, in 1964, this long wooden bench embodies the serene logic and balanced proportions that define the Bossche School. Made of pine wood and finished with the characteristic olive-green varnish, it remains in good original condition, showing an even and expressive patina that tells the story of six decades of use within a sacred space. The Church it was once designed for closed in 2003 and was demolished in 2005. Leaving only a few passengers with some pieces of the interior of the church. The bench’s design reveals an elegant synthesis of simplicity and function. Its extended backrest not only provides architectural presence but also integrates a kneeling section at the rear, allowing the piece to serve two liturgical purposes in a single, unified form. The rhythm of the supporting legs and the precise spacing of the panels create a calm visual order that resonates with the proportional system central to the Bossche School philosophy. with its generous length, the bench achieves a sense of grounded monumentality while maintaining human intimacy, a balance often sought in Jan de Jong’s ecclesiastical designs. Every element, from the copper-nailed construction to the natural grain of the pine, reflects his pursuit of harmony through material honesty and spatial proportion. Jan de Jong was among the most influential figures of postwar Dutch architecture and a defining member of the Bossche School. A close disciple and collaborator of Dom Hans van der Laan, he expanded van der Laan’s ideas on spatial proportion and sacred geometry into both architecture and furniture. Van der Laan regarded him as his finest student, and De Jong’s vast body of work stands as the most complete realization of the Bossche School’s ideals. This bench, once part of a now-lost architectural whole, remains a rare and authentic fragment of that enduring legacy. Provenance; Sint-Willibrordus church Almelo, 1964.

Wear consistent with age and use. Good original condition, Nice original patina. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



issues arising from misattribution See less