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Benches & Stools - General

Benches and stools are some of the first seats created by humans before modern chairs and sofas were designed. Footstools were used by kings or other high-profile dignitaries in ancient Greece and the Byzantine Empire. These were made of bronze or iron and could be folded for easy portability. Although early stools could be decorative, the early history of stools and benches is purely utilitarian. Each bench or stool had a function, the simplest being to rest while eating.

The prayer kneeling bench, or prie dieu, has been used since the 17th century for kneeling while placing sacred texts or religious objects on its shelf. In the 17th century, the gout stool became popular among the wealthy for elevating the feet when one suffered from the unfortunate medical condition. Stools were also used to keep feet raised from cold floors by both the rich and poor classes. During the American Colonial period, the three-legged footstool became popular for its offer of better balance. As the furniture of Europe became more elaborate, so did the stools and benches. One innovative development in stools was the creation of the camel saddle stool originating in Egypt and other parts of North Africa. This seat or footstool is often minimilist in design, although aesthetically pleasing examples made from fine leather and woods can be found.

Benches were also utilitarian in form. They could be used for eating, sitting in church, or waiting for a train. Benches developed in terms of luxury and beauty along with the stool, eventually appearing alongside other European fine furniture as the settee. The mammy bench, or cradle settee, is one of the more creative designs for a bench. It is a bench on rockers with one side closed in for the placement of an infant and the other side open for a person to perform seated chores while rocking the baby.


Quick Facts

  • A contemporary Zaha Hadid Ordrupgaard bench sold for more than $67,000 at a Phillips auction in 2014
  • A contemporary Jenny Holzer truism footstool sold for $37,500 at a Phillips auction in 2014
  • An Antoni Gaudi bench sold for $549,557 at a Christie’s auction in 2011

Recommended Items at Auction

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Workbench with bench with vice 3 drawers (2100 x 800),
Jun 25, 6:00 PM AEST
Workbench with bench with vice 3 drawers (2100 x 800),
by Lawsons
Est: AUD250- AUD300
AUD30010 Bids
Thornet style pair of bentwood barstools (76 x 37cm)
Jun 19, 10:00 AM AEST
Thornet style pair of bentwood barstools (76 x 37cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD1106 Bids
Natural timber library bench with rattan seat (44 x 137 x 45cm)
Jun 19, 10:00 AM AEST
Natural timber library bench with rattan seat (44 x 137 x 45cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD706 Bids
Pair Of Porcelain Painted Garden Stools
Jun 21, 10:00 AM MST
Pair Of Porcelain Painted Garden Stools
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$355 Bids
Orange velvet ottoman (51 x 110 x 44cm)
Jun 19, 3:00 PM AEST
Orange velvet ottoman (51 x 110 x 44cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD405 Bids
An Italian Renaissance style carved marble bench, Early 20th century
Jun 25, 10:00 AM PDT
An Italian Renaissance style carved marble bench, Early 20th century
by Andrew Jones Auctions
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$6504 Bids
Set of six modern metal Tolix style bar stools (84 x 44 x 44cm)
Jun 19, 3:00 PM AEST
Set of six modern metal Tolix style bar stools (84 x 44 x 44cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD704 Bids
Rustic Milk Can Tractor Seat Stool
Jun 21, 10:00 AM MST
Rustic Milk Can Tractor Seat Stool
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$254 Bids
Rattan and timber savanrola stool (69 x 74 x 40cm)
Jun 19, 3:00 PM AEST
Rattan and timber savanrola stool (69 x 74 x 40cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD253 Bids
CAST IRON GARDEN BENCH WITH WOOD SEAT AND GRIFFIN MOUNTS.
Jun 19, 11:00 AM EDT
CAST IRON GARDEN BENCH WITH WOOD SEAT AND GRIFFIN MOUNTS.
by Kamelot Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1753 Bids
Unique pair of French bench seats with reversible hinged backs, 83 x 272 x 38cm
Jun 24, 7:00 PM AEST
Unique pair of French bench seats with reversible hinged backs, 83 x 272 x 38cm
by Lawsons
Est: AUD3,500- AUD4,000
AUD603 Bids
Rustic Southwestern Style Folding Iron Bench
Jun 21, 10:00 AM MST
Rustic Southwestern Style Folding Iron Bench
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$203 Bids
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Child Size Iron & Wood Bench 20 x 30 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. (50.8 x 77.5 x 36.8 cm.)
Jun 18, 6:00 PM EDT
Child Size Iron & Wood Bench 20 x 30 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. (50.8 x 77.5 x 36.8 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$63 Bids
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Primitive Bucket Bench** 19 1/2 x 47 x 12 1/2 in. (49.5 x 119.4 x 31.8 cm.)
Jun 24, 6:00 PM EDT
Primitive Bucket Bench** 19 1/2 x 47 x 12 1/2 in. (49.5 x 119.4 x 31.8 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$113 Bids
Pair of modern round timber stools (50 x 46cm)
Jun 19, 3:00 PM AEST
Pair of modern round timber stools (50 x 46cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD40- AUD60
AUD202 Bids
Upholstered buttoned top stool with valance (44 x 68 x 48cm)
Jun 19, 10:00 AM AEST
Upholstered buttoned top stool with valance (44 x 68 x 48cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD70- AUD90
AUD202 Bids
Pair of modern timber stools (50 x 46cm)
Jun 19, 3:00 PM AEST
Pair of modern timber stools (50 x 46cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD40- AUD60
AUD452 Bids
Eastern three-legged stool with embroidered seat (cm)
Jun 19, 10:00 AM AEST
Eastern three-legged stool with embroidered seat (cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD40- AUD60
AUD202 Bids
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Country Style Bench**, 19 x 14 x 72 in. (48.3 x 35.6 x 182.9 cm.)
Jun 24, 6:00 PM EDT
Country Style Bench**, 19 x 14 x 72 in. (48.3 x 35.6 x 182.9 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$62 Bids
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Primitive Bucket Bench, Painted Grey** 78” Long
Jun 24, 6:00 PM EDT
Primitive Bucket Bench, Painted Grey** 78” Long
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$62 Bids
Rustic Milk Can Tractor Seat Stool
Jun 21, 10:00 AM MST
Rustic Milk Can Tractor Seat Stool
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$152 Bids
Rustic Milk Can Tractor Seat Stool
Jun 21, 10:00 AM MST
Rustic Milk Can Tractor Seat Stool
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$152 Bids
Robins Egg Blue Step Stool
Jun 30, 6:00 PM EDT
Robins Egg Blue Step Stool
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$51 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Benches & Stools - General


Lawsons

Lawsons

Sheppards

Sheppards

Atlee Raber Auctioneer

Atlee Raber Auctioneer