Vintage Jan De Jong Praying Benches, 1966, Set of 3

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Praying benches designed by Jan de Jong for Pauluskerk (Uden), The Netherlands, 1966. These elegant and architectural praying benches are … Read more Praying benches designed by Jan de Jong for Pauluskerk (Uden), The Netherlands, 1966. These elegant and architectural praying benches are made of pine wood with a semi-transparent olive green finish that beautifully reveals the natural grain of the wood. The surfaces have developed a soft, authentic patina over time, and the structure is accentuated by the characteristic aligned iron nails that are a signature of Bossche School furniture. Each bench shows the balance between geometry and proportion that is central to the movement’s design language. Originally conceived as kneeling benches for use in the chapel, they carry a quiet and solemn presence. Their clean architectural lines make them not only significant historical pieces but also versatile elements that could be adapted for modern living. For example, they could be customized into wall-mounted desks or low console tables, preserving their form while giving them a practical contemporary function. We currently have three benches available, priced and sold individually. This offers collectors and admirers of the Bossche School a rare opportunity to acquire original pieces with architectural provenance. These benches originate from the Pauluskerk in Uden, one of Jan de Jong’s important projects. The church was preserved as a monument and now functions as an office. We acquired this entire collection of furniture from a priest in Eindhoven, where it had been relocated after the closure of the Uden church. When that second church also closed, the pieces finally became available on the market. Jan de Jong played a central role in translating the theoretical principles of Dom Hans van der Laan into built form. His impressive oeuvre made him one of the most important architects of the Bossche School. Through his extensive architectural practice, he gave the movement its physical language, uniting structure, proportion and silence into timeless architecture and furniture. Provenance: Pauluskerk, Uden, 1966. Acquired from a priest in Eindhoven after the church’s relocation and later closure. 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