Carved solid wood bench-chest, 18th century

Large bench-chest made of solid pine and chestnut-like hardwood, constructed from 17th-18th century elements, then remodeled in the 19th century to become a seat. It is very likely an original 18th-century chest, carved on all four sides, repurposed as a bench in the following century. The lower section features a high-relief carved decoration, typical of Alpine or rural Central European craftsmanship: undulating motifs, regular rhythms, and framed panels. During its 19th-century transformation, a backrest was added, composed of straight uprights and three openwork elements cut with a saw, as well as simple but perfectly harmonious armrests. The seat, mounted on hinges, retains the original chest function and opens to reveal a storage compartment. The piece displays a rich, even patina, full of history and reflecting its successive uses and evolution over the centuries. Dimensions: H 98 cm – Seat height 55 cm – W 188 cm – D 54 cm.