Regency Style Indian Bench - 19th Century

This 19th century teak bench from Gujarat reflects the Anglo-Indian furniture tradition that developed during the days of the Raj, when European forms were adapted by Indian craftsmen using local materials and techniques. Regency influence can be seen in the balanced proportions, shaped arms, and gently arched back, interpreted here through a more robust, hand-built construction.

Made from solid teak, the bench was built for practical use in a warm climate, with a slatted seat and back allowing for airflow and durability over time. Pieces of this type would have been used in verandas, bungalows, or administrative buildings, where furniture needed to be both functional and suited to colonial tastes.

The surface retains traces of its original painted finish, now worn back to reveal the grain beneath. This layered patina reflects long use and exposure, giving the piece a direct connection to its working life rather than a purely decorative past.

• Origin: Gujarat, India
• Date: 19th Century
• Materials: Teak wood
• Features: Regency-style form, shaped arms, slatted seat and back, turned legs, original worn painted finish
• Condition: Restored in our UK workshops. Good antique condition with age-related wear and patina, losses to original paint consistent with age
• Dimensions: Width 189 × Depth 72 × Height 85 cm

A well-proportioned Anglo-Indian bench, combining Regency design with practical construction suited to the climate and conditions of 19th-century India.