Rustic 19th Century Painted Pine Bench with Slatted Back

A simple, honest country bench in old dark paint, probably dating from the second half of the 19th century. The seat is made of wide boards with a worn, softened edge, where the paint has rubbed back to pale wood from years of use. A single broad back rail is fixed between two upright back posts. The bench stands on plain square legs, one of which has a small metal foot cap. The dark, slightly glossy finish has aged well, with scratches, dents and old nail and peg marks. It has a low, compact shape and would make a very good hall or boot-room bench, a seat at the end of a bed or a perch beside a kitchen table.