Pair of English Gothic Revival Oak Hall Benches

mid-19th century, with triple-paneled trefoil-carved backs, plank seats and raised on cabriole legs with scrolled toes, bearing the partial paper label from The London & Stansted Furnishing Co.
h. 45", w. 41", d. 22"

In good "as found" condition, both with normal shrinkage, rubbing, most notably to the tops of the arms, dings, mars and wear consistent with age and use. Both retain an untouched crusty original finish, now alligatored. Both sturdy and functional. Upholstered loose seat cushions worn and stained. Bench A: Two drop finials are missing from beneath one arm. There is a straight shrinkage separation across the width of the seat, where two boards are laminated together. It is about 4" back from the front of the seat. Bench B: One drop finial is missing from beneath an arm. There is a shrinkage crack/tear across the width of the seat, about 2" back from the front. It appears to be along a lamination, but has torn the adjoining board and is not perfectly straight. Iron braces have been added to the back side of the rear leg and stile joints, and to the bottom of the seat rail and the inside of the rear legs.