Primitive 10' Long Bench Weathered Original Painted Surface

Details

Description

Just shy of 10’ long primitive social house bench

With a finish that reveals the age and wear this piece … Read more Just shy of 10’ long primitive social house bench

With a finish that reveals the age and wear this piece has enjoyed for over a century, we are delighted to share this special piece of history.

The surface has the original paint, with an authentic, age-developed patina. The structure is strong, with a very slight rise to the far right leg. One can see the way the bench has torqued slightly over time; the images showing the back reveal the way it has ever so slightly developed a concave form. The original William O. Haskell maker sticker remains under the seat. William O. Haskell was a furniture and cabinet maker at 34 Canal Street, Boston; the bench dates to 1857-1866.


Haskell, William O Haskell has been documented in the Boston Furniture Archive as:

"chair painter, chairmaker, and settee and school furniture manufacturer, about 1809-1892, active 1836-1879, Boston, MA.

First appears in the Boston directories as a chair painter. From about 1840-1842, is listed as a chair painter with G. W. Haskell, likely his brother George W. Haskell. In 1846, he begins to identify himself as a settee manufacturer as well as a chair painter. In 1855, he is listed as a settee and school furniture manufacturer. From 1866-1876, he operated in partnership with his son, also named William O., under William O. Haskell & Son. By 1880, Haskell moved to Mason, New Hampshire.

Haskell, William O., Jr., settee and school furniture manufacturer, 1844-1888, active about 1865-1876, Boston, MA.

William O. Haskell, Jr., first appears in the Boston directory in 1865 as a clerk for his father, also named William O. Haskell. The following year, he partnered with his father in William O. Haskell & Son. About 1876, the younger Haskell left furniture manufacturing for the publishing business."

There is another similar bench in the collection of Historic New England

A shorter, older (circa 1830s) backless version was sold in 2022 by William Smith Auctions See less