Near Pair of American "White House" Garden Benches
Near Pair of American "White House" Garden Benches
An assembled pair of cast metal benches, one slightly larger than the other, after a mid 19th century design in the Rococo Revival taste, these benches feature a scalloped crest rail with foliate decoration topping the pierced horseshoe lattice back over an open scroll-work seat. Graduated pierced C-scroll arm panels flank the sides with boldly curved legs and scrolled feet. They look great from all sides. This assembled pair consists of an antique 19th century cast iron bench marked Brown & Owen (Phila) and a slightly smaller late 20th century cast aluminum bench, which has the advantage of never rusting (and so needing less maintenance) and of being easier than cast iron to move around. Excellent vintage condition, with some crustiness from previous layers of paint and outdoor use. Freshly painted a gloss asparagus green enamel matched to the color of Parisian park furniture. Size difference is visible side by side, but barely perceptible face to face.
This bench model was once found in the Kennedy era Rose Garden of the White House, but was originally ordered under President Fillmore in the early 1850’s, and is still present on the South Lawn today.
Cast Iron Bench: H: 36 W: 47 D: 17 Seat Height: 18”
Cast Aluminum Bench: H: 34 W: 43 ½ D: 16 Seat Height: 16 ½”