What do you call the piece of furniture that would be found near the home entrance, has a bench with storage space for boots and stuff, sometimes it has a back mirror, and a shelf with pegs just below it for hanging a hat or coat?
Thanks in advance,
-Ken
Replies
Are you talking abouta hall seat.
Scott C. Frankland
That's the best guess so far!
Check out the New Yankee website. I seen Norm build one a few years back.
http://www.newyankee.com/getproduct3.cgi?0103Scott C. Frankland
Ken
I think what you are talking about is commonly refereed to as a Deacons Bench
papaT
Here's a picture of one. Antique dealer listed it as a "Hall Seat". Some folks around here insist it's a "Hall Tree". I thought that was basically a stick on a stand with hooks for your coat, hat, and umbrella.
I really don't care so much about what it's called. I want a bench to sit on so I can remove/move (put on) my shoes. I'm not exactly a wide load, but 3-4 ft would be comfortable so I could set the mail on the bench while I (re)move my shoes, etc. My sweetie would like a mirror by the door to make sure she hasn't goofed up her war paint.
I really like the Hall Seat/Hall Bench/Hall Tree/Deacons Bench thingy pictured and I suppose I could go from Norm's video/plans. I'd like to do some internet searching and knowing what it's called really helps.
Thanks again,
-Ken (Palmyra, Nebraska)
Ken,
Your picture does indeed show a hall tree. Some were simple, upright units that simply held coats and hats. Others were quite elaborate featuring marble, gilding, mirrors, seats, places for umbrellas, calling cards, etc. (I'd be wary of Norm's joinery. Why not look for an original plan.)
A deacon's bench is quite literally a bench. Originally they were used in New England churches (hence, the name), then later found their way into peoples' homes. Thomas Moser has plans for a nice one in his How to Build Shaker Furniture. Here's a shot of a nice one.
Jeff
Hall Tree must be a generic term for it's function.
Some hall trees like the "French Hall Tree" don't have a bench.
Perhaps it would be best called a "Hall Tree Entry Bench"?
I looked in my Encyclopedia of Furniture. There is an entry for "hall tree" as a generic term for a stand to hang clothes and coats. Looking through, I also found pictures of an "umbrella stand," some of which were very elaborate and looked similar to the one that was pictured above, but without the bench.
Maybe we could combine two terms, and call it a "hall stand?" Or how about a "bench tree?"
The mind boggles.
Kevin
I'd put what Ken has shown as within the general style of a settle-- basically a bench with a back, but in this case, as with many settles, there are drawers under the seat, arms, and in that example, a mirror above (instead of wood panelling of some sort) and some coat hooks-- a variation as I see it on the 'settle' style.
Calling it a hall tree seems a fair description too, and 'mudbench' doesn't seem to be far off the mark either, both terms being rather alien to this Brit, ha, ha.
What you've shown Jeff, I'd call a settee because it has a spindle back with top rail, open stretchers, and a quite common (but not exclusively made this way) solid wood seat.
Wallace Nutting's Furniture Treasury is quite a good reference for American styles, names and descriptions. Slainte.
Website The poster formerly known as Sgian Dubh.
Edited 5/1/2003 11:38:28 PM ET by RichardJ
Ken,
I believe that piece is called a 'mudbench' here in Vermont; used specifically in mudrooms it was traditionally used to store boots and shoes in the off-season months or hats and gloves for winter. I don't know if that is what history calls the piece but that is the name I am familiar with.
Don
Don
I noticed that your in Vermont.
I'm in South Londonderry.
Always happy to get together.
Let me know.
Jeff
I like "Mudbench". Aweful fancy for a mudbench - don't you think?
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