A Victorian cast iron Oak Tree pattern garden seat, probably...

Hammer

£750

A Victorian cast iron Oak Tree pattern garden seat, probably Coalbrookdale, third quarter 19th century; the openwork backrest and seat composed of branches and leaves with acorns, the ends with 'serpent and grapes' cast supports; 87cm high, 131cm wide Note: The design of the bench is very similar to a pattern by J.Haywood for the Phoenix Foundry at Derby, but in that the rustic timber casting is at the ends too. The 'serpent and grapes' cast supports tie in with the Coalbrookdale bench of that name patented in 1844, so their use here is a continuation of that motif. Cf. Christie's South Kensington, The Country Seat, 22nd June 2000, lot 112 for a pair of identical examples. Comparative Literature: Georg Himmelheber, Cast Iron Furniture, Philip Wilson, distributed by Antique Collectors' Club Ltd., 1996, plate 106