Designed to seat several people, a settle is basically long wooden bench with a high backrest and arms that could be used for a variety of purposes: a seat; bed; chest; and in examples with a hinged backrest that can be turned down to rest on the arms, a table (known as a “monk’s bench”).

Victorian Carved Oak Settle

The settle dates as far back as the 10th century and was likely derived from a chest, with additional elements based on the monastic choir stall.

By the 15th century they had become standard articles of furniture in inns and taverns and by the end of the 17th century, domestic versions had nailed-on leather upholstery, and for greater comfort the backrest was inclined.

Surviving mainly in rural areas throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, settles became popular again with the historicizing movements in design during the early part of the 20th century.

Its high back was a protection from the draughts of medieval buildings and settles of the more expensive type were often elaborately carved or incised; others were divided into plain panels.

“always complete but never finished” … a wonderful strapline and perhaps appropriate motto for a magnificent and incredibly practical piece of office furniture that is as desirable today as it ever was.

Formed in the late 1800′s in America by the merger of the Wernicke Furniture Company and the Globe Company, Globe Wernicke are best known for their high end bookcases, desks, and other office furniture.

Typically referred to as a sectional, stacking or barristers bookcase, today “Globe Wernicke” is synonymous with a specific style of modular bookcase with a width of 34 inches and fall-front glass doors that cover the shelves.

This bookcase also had an ingenious support mechanism for the doors that allowed the bookcase doors to lift upwards and slide into the ceiling of each shelf above the books or content of the case.

The bookcase was designed so that the sections may be stacked in different ways, to adjust the depth and height of the bookcase, allowing them to be adapted to practically any space, and can always be added to…”always complete but never finished” !

A belated Happy New Year to everyone!

Our first batch of exciting fresh new stock for 2012 is in!

From which our top 3 picks are:

We would like to wish all our customers and friends a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

We look forward to seeing you again in 2012.

Here are the answers to the 7th December quiz….

1. Graduated planes for making fishing rods
2. Victorian coffin preparation table
3. Calormeter (attached like a car mascot to the bonnet – measures temp)
4. Kava bowl
5. Anemometer
6. 19th Century enema pump!