Piano Bench
Item
Title
Piano Bench
Creator
United Crafts or Craftsman Workshops
Date
1908-11 (probably)
Medium
Oak
Credit line
Collection of Drs. Cynthia and Timothy McGinn
Marks
Shop mark (decal) on interior of leg
Description
This piano bench strongly resembles model no. 217, which was introduced in Stickley's 1909 Craftsman Furniture catalog. Unlike that model–which he sold at least through 1913–the seat on this is slightly canted towards the piano. Whether this represents a prototype of the model, or whether it is a customized version of the production version of this bench is not currently known.
Adding to the general murkiness surrounding the chronology of this bench is the mark which, despite earlier claims to the contrary, is not well understood. The mark has been found on forms produced as early as 1900-04 as well as on those introduced as late as 1909. If the bench and piano in the Girls' Bedroom were made concurrently, we could posit a date of about 1908-09 based on the overlap in production dates of the piano and the standard piano bench. Unfortunately, the first record we have of these pieces together is the November 1911 article in The Craftsman where they were photographed.
Adding to the general murkiness surrounding the chronology of this bench is the mark which, despite earlier claims to the contrary, is not well understood. The mark has been found on forms produced as early as 1900-04 as well as on those introduced as late as 1909. If the bench and piano in the Girls' Bedroom were made concurrently, we could posit a date of about 1908-09 based on the overlap in production dates of the piano and the standard piano bench. Unfortunately, the first record we have of these pieces together is the November 1911 article in The Craftsman where they were photographed.