{"product_id":"18th-century-french-country-coin-de-feu-or-fireside-bench-with-drawer","title":"18th Century French Country Coin de Feu or Fireside Bench with Drawer","description":"\u003cp\u003eA handsome 18th century French Country \u003cem\u003ecoin de feu\u003c\/em\u003e, or fireside bench, handcrafted from solid oak in Normandy. Literally translating to “corner of the fire,” coin de feu refers to the cherished place beside the hearth — the warmest and most convivial spot in a rural French home. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCompact, sturdy, and wonderfully practical, benches such as this were designed to shelter those seated beside the hearth from cold drafts, their tall paneled backs creating a protected pocket of warmth beside the open fire. Positioned close to the fireplace, they provided a comfortable place to warm oneself, converse, tend the fire, or simply settle in at the end of the day.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eNormandy has a particularly rich tradition of oak furniture, owing in part to the region's abundant forests and long history of skilled rural cabinetmaking. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eBecause the region’s humid maritime climate demanded immense durability, Norman craftsmen \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003erelied on the strong native oak, favoring robust, thick-plank construction, traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery secured with substantial wooden pegs, \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003emany of which remain clearly visible throughout this bench's framework. and sturdy proportions to create furniture intended to withstand generations of daily use. While the grand armoires and elaborately carved marriage furniture of Normandy are perhaps better known, everyday pieces made for farmhouses and country homes \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eprioritized restraint, \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eemphasizing strong architectural lines, structural integrity, and practical function. This coin de feu beautifully reflects that quieter side of Norman furniture making.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe sturdy bench has the wonderfully straightforward construction associated with early French provincial furniture, featuring a tall paneled back with two broad recessed oak panels framed by substantial rails and stiles. Simple straight arms extend forward from the back and are supported by upright posts, their gently shaped ends providing just enough ornament to soften the otherwise restrained design. True to its utilitarian roots, the broad plank seat rests above a deep paneled base concealing a large original storage drawer on the left side. Fitted with its original iron drop pull, the deep drawer \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ewas historically used to keep kindling, hearth tools, blankets, or other fireside essentials dry and close at hand. Its placement at the side allowed the drawer to be opened without disturbing whoever was seated on the bench.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAfter nearly three centuries of use, the solid oak has developed a deep, time softened patina and rich natural luster that beautifully showcases the rugged grain and character of the old timber. Darker areas appear around the arms, seat edge, corners, and other places repeatedly touched and worn by generations of hands. Old marks, small losses, irregularities, softened edges, and variations in the surface remain visible throughout — not imperfections to disguise, but wonderful evidence of a piece that truly lived alongside the family who owned it. The iron pull has aged along with the wood, adding another layer of character.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eWith its centuries old oak, compact proportions, and wonderfully honest construction, this 18th century fireside bench brings both the warmth and practical ingenuity of the French countryside into a modern interior. It would be charming beside a fireplace, of course, but equally at home in an entry hall, mudroom, kitchen, or tucked into a cozy corner where its beautifully worn surface can be appreciated up close.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eback h - 39\"; seat h - 16.5\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003earm h - 26.5\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ew - 39.5\" \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ed - 16\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0;\"\u003e__________________________________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"height: 8px; margin: 0; padding: 0;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display: flex; align-items: center; margin: 0; padding: 3px 0 1px 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1605\/5007\/files\/Mirror.png\" alt=\"Antique hand mirror\" style=\"width: 41px !important; height: auto !important; display: block; margin: 0 8px 0 4px; padding: 0; transform: rotate(-18deg);\"\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Crimson Text', serif !important; font-size: 27px !important; font-weight: 700 !important; line-height: 1 !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important;\"\u003eA CLOSER LOOK REVEALS\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left; margin: 0; padding: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eNormandy, France\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e18th century\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eType:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eCoin de feu \/ fireside bench\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eStyle:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eFrench Country \/ Provincial\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eSolid oak with original iron hardware\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eRobust thick-plank construction with traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery secured by visible wooden pegs\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBack:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eTall paneled back with two broad recessed oak panels framed by substantial rails and stiles\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eArms:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eSimple straight arms with gently shaped ends supported by upright posts\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eStorage:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eLarge original side drawer beneath the seat, fitted with its original iron drop pull\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFunction:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eDesigned for fireside use, with a tall back that helped shield the sitter from cold drafts and create a protected pocket of warmth beside the hearth\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePatina:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eDeep, time-softened oak with rich chestnut and brown tones, old marks, softened edges, darker areas from generations of handling, and naturally aged iron\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eVery good antique condition with age-appropriate wear, small losses, surface variations, and marks consistent with nearly three centuries of use\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eUse:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eIdeal beside a fireplace, in an entry hall, mudroom, kitchen, or tucked into a cozy corner\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eBack H 39\" × Seat H 16.5\" × Arm H 26.5\" × W 39.5\" × D 16\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSold:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eIndividually\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","brand":"Lolo French Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43709925425229,"sku":"LOPP125","price":2500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1605\/5007\/files\/LOPP125mainps.jpg?v=1788255532","url":"https:\/\/lolofrenchantiques.com\/products\/18th-century-french-country-coin-de-feu-or-fireside-bench-with-drawer","provider":"Lolo French Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}