A Dutch hall bench

The 18th century marked a period of great prosperity and progress for the Netherlands, as reflected in the desire for splendor in the homes of the very wealthy, such as on Amsterdam' distinguished canals and in the country houses on the Amstel and the Vecht. The art of decoration, already started in France under Marot, also gained an enormous influenc here. Good times dawned for decorators, sculptors and furniture makers. At this time, the hall bench was born in the Netherlands. This bench was set up in the fore-house, the wide corridor or hall therefore became a representative space. The hall bench, because of its lavish carving became part of the lavish decoration of these rooms. Literature: Huisraad en Binnenhuis in Nederland in vroegere eeuwen, p 251, illustration 327, 2nd edition, Nijhof, 's Gravenhage, 1925 The Schermerhorn Collection, Christie's Amsterdam, 1999. The Dutch Book of Furniture, Annigje C.H. Hofstede, Waanders Zwolle, p. 112,113.