Regrettably, no information is available about the function and original context of this miniature piece of furniture, also known as a bergère. Whether it was a seat for a small child or a pet therefore remains an open question. It entered the Kunstgewerbemuseum after the end of the Second World War as a result of the land reform. It is unknown which household it formerly graced.
There is also disagreement about its dating. Initially assigned to the Classicist period and dated to the late eighteenth century, it is now thought to have been created at a much later date. The arguments on both sides recommend this small bench for inclusion within this exhibition. The baluster-shaped legs, which are additionally fluted, are reminiscent of ancient column shafts. Instead of an entablature, they support the upholstered corpus, which is accentuated with a finely crafted moulding and rosettes. The backrest is finished on both sides with volutes of acanthus leaves. Similar motifs can indeed be found in many of the objects from the early Classicist period exhibited here. However, the original upholstery and details in the finish point to an execution in the late nineteenth century. In this case, the bench would be a prime example of the survival of Classicist design principles in the period known as Historicism.
Text: Alexander Röstel