Seneca Bench

Sale price$1,499.00
Wood: Amana Pine

The Seneca Bench boasts a hand-built, timeless design that adds an air of sophistication to any space. Its versatile nature makes it perfect for pretty much any setting.

Benches can be picked up at our shop in eastern Iowa or delivered.

PLEASE NOTE: Delivery charges will not show in cart, but will be billed after purchase for accuracy. Delivery is available to a semi-truck accessible driveway or garage. If your street or location does not accommodate semi-trucks extra charges may apply. Please contact us for an accurate delivery quote.

History

Benchcrafted is pleased to introduce the Seneca Bench, based on the original benches used in the churches of the historic seven Amana Colonies, east central Iowa. Rarely photographed or documented outside the religious spaces of the Community of True Inspiration, these benches were built in Ebeneezer, New York around 1850 by German craftsmen; members themselves of the communal group which would eventually move to Iowa and found the Amana Colonies in 1855.

We’ve spent the past several years researching the history, construction, and legacy of these benches, and are now offering them for the first time since the originals were built around 170 years ago.

All of our Seneca Benches are built at the Amana Furniture and Clock Shop in historic Amana, Iowa, just a stone’s throw from where the original benches reside and are still used regularly by church members.

Design

Staked furniture has a long history in Europe and especially in German vernacular furniture. The staked table or backless bench in particular is found throughout Europe, and Amana is rife with the form, even to this day. Tyrolen, Alpine, or “board” chairs use the same basic design language as the Seneca Bench, but with a marked difference when it comes to the back.

The relatively open and spartan back design of the Seneca Bench however is fairly unique to the historic benches in Amana. And it’s what gives this bench its timeless look. At home in both traditional settings and the most modern, the Seneca Bench fits into any space.

Comfort

As spartan as it looks, the Seneca Bench is surprisingly comfortable. We designed ours to sit about 17” off the ground (a smidge lower than a dining chair) with the seat dropping ⅜” front to back and a comfortably tilted back that makes for a great spot to visit with friends, put your shoes on, or have a beer.

Construction and Joinery

Four legs of hard maple are joined to the seat with individually hand-fit tapered tenons that pass entirely through hardwood battens that are joined to the seat with sliding dovetails. The legs’ tenons are then kerfed and wedged from above, the planed flush. The very act of sitting on the bench constantly forces the joint tighter over time. And the wedge keeps it locked in place during seasonal changes. The two splats that support the back rail are joined to the undercarriage with massive through tenons that pass entirely through the dovetailed battens, keyed into the back edge of the seat, and are glued and wedged from below with a cross peg. Finally, the tenons themselves come to rest on the back of the rear legs which creates an incredibly strong triangulated joint. Each component exploits the strongest aspects of the wood and uses it to great effect. The back rail marries up to the two splats with a large mortise and tenon which is then drawbored together with oak pegs.

Staked furniture is renowned for being incredibly strong despite its simplicity. The Seneca Bench is no different. Entirely constructed with traditional robust joinery, the Seneca Bench will last your lifetime, and likely those of your great grandchildren. The originals are still going strong after 170 years!

Specifications

Entirely built by hand in Amana, Iowa

Dimensions

60” long x 31” high x 19” deep

Material

Amana Pine or Hard Maple

Finish

Clear lacquer

Delivery

White glove directly to your home, or free pickup in Eastern Iowa. Contact us for rates.

Similar Products