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Europe » Remarkable Folk Art Painted Long Bench
Ref: 2388
In the days before the Treaty of Trianon at which the Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up and shrunk down to present day size, there used to be Hungarian peoples living throughout Central and Eastern Europe - in one group of villages in the far away hills one group or tribe was known for an especially vibrant not to say hallucinogenic style of folk art of which this bench is a fine example. Of all the styles of European folk painting this is one of the most remarkable, a far cry from the Dutch influenced flower painted armoires of Western Germany the decoration on this box bench more nearly resembles aboriginal decoration though it's busy quality probably derives from it's being an imitation of embroidered costume.
The stylised tulips are the adopted symbol at this time of the Hungarian peasantry and this bench, adding somewhat to its value to a collector, actually has the Hungarian national flag painted in the centre of the seat. The bench has two box lids, it is superb condition and nearly 3 metres long and made of pine and hardwood.
Eastern Central Europe c.1880
H: 94.5cm (37.2in)
W: 299cm (117.7in)
D: 49cm (19.3in)
SOLD
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