Painted tiles march across the back of this antique Indian teak bench, no two alike: a bloom here, a geometric star there, a figure caught in glaze, each set between pierced fretwork spindles. The honey-toned teak has weathered to a soft, sun-worn finish, with turned legs, open arms and a plank seat worn smooth by decades of use. Tile-backed benches like this belong to India's Raj-era furniture tradition, where tiles were set into carved teak frames.
At 71 inches wide with a 17 inch seat height, it seats two comfortably along an entry wall, at the foot of a bed or on a covered porch. The tiles give the back real color, so the bench holds a plain wall without art above it. Neutral linen pillows let the tiles stay the focus.
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Era: Early 20th century
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Origin: India
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Material: Teak, painted ceramic tile
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Size: 71"(W) x 24"(D) x 38"(H), seat height 17"
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Color: Honey teak with multicolor tiles
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Condition: Wear consistent with age and use, part of its character and historical value. Weathered seat planks and surface wear.
This antique Indian teak bench dates to the early 20th century and measures 71 inches wide, 24 inches deep and 38 inches tall, with a 17 inch seat height. A row of hand-painted ceramic tiles is set into a pierced teak back, above a plank seat on turned legs. It suits an entryway, hallway, porch or the foot of a bed.
Q: Why was teak used for antique Indian furniture?
A: Teak resists moisture, insects and warping, which suited India's climate, and it ages to a warm honey tone. That durability is why so many early 20th century teak pieces survive today.
Q: How do you style a bench with a tile back?
A: Let the tiles carry the color: keep the wall behind it plain, add one or two neutral pillows, and skip art directly above the back. It works in an entryway, at the foot of a bed or on a covered porch.
**Please bear in mind that colors of products shown may vary slightly from their original color due to monitor display settings or photography studio
