Swedish pine bench dated 1868, featuring a highly carved back and arms with wonderful country character. A carved heart at the center of the back displays the date 1868 and is surrounded by decorative carved flourishes.
The scrubbed pine retains traces of old paint that may originally have been red but now appear as soft pink within the warm aged patina. Variation in tone throughout the scraped and distressed surface reflects generations of use, with warmer coloration especially noticeable toward the upper right area of the bench seat. Some residual white is also visible.
The seat lifts completely away to reveal useful storage below. The bench was originally designed with a lower section that could open for use as a spare bed, but today the interior provides practical concealed storage for blankets, pillows, shoes, or other household items.
More than 150 years of use are visible in cracks (review the carved details), scratches, dings, stains, and other wear throughout. Age related separation runs horizontally across the bench seat, with another area of separation visible along the interior bottom. Both sides show vertical cracking near the front legs, with an additional crack along the left side. Further nicks, scratches, stains, and wear are present throughout.
Restored, strong, stable, and ready to use. 
Seat Height: 17"
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