I have an Arts and Crafts Deacon's bench. It's oak, held together by pegs. There are no markings. Any ideas of origin or manufacturer? Thanks.

Hello Bohunk,
That sure looks to be a sturdy bench and the picture is a little large. Could you resize it say to at least 700kb or less. I know that sometimes reducing pictures is a pain in the you know what but, try www.uleadphotoexpress.com as I have used it quite often and then either go to photo bucket or flickr and repost it here after you get it reduced. Then we can get a better look at it and please take some from different angles.

Since you found no marks on it so far, it is my thinking that someone made it as an heir loom or if nothing else for personal use.

Respectfully,

Ralph

Thanks for your response, Ralph.

Here is a view of the bench from the front.

very well made bench. All I know is that it isn't Gus Stickley or L&JG Stickley. While early Gus did use a number for exposed tenons with pins, I don't remember this design in early Chips catalog. The shape of the exposed tenon on the top of the arms are not the shape of Stickley (which would be exactly square and have subtle pyramidal shape.) The double pins on the tenon at the top seat back rail isn't indicative of Gus. This would be overkill. I'm not sure of the wood. Doesn't look like oak, but more like mahogony. (the earliest Gus designs were both oak and chestnut, which have a distinct grain).

This bench makes for a great hall bench.