Church Pew Age/Value Help Request

Hello, I'm looking for some assistance learning more about this church pew that my wife and I purchased from a family friend appx. 15 years ago. The seller didn't know much about it other than, "it came from an old church in MA." I think it's made out of pine or hemlock as it's very lightweight. I can't find any markings or carvings. The seat itself has started to split in the middle and I'm not sure if that's fairly common or not. Any info on age/value or advice on restoration/care would be greatly appreciated!

 

Can't help I'm afraid but I love it and would have bought it also!

 

nice pew.......hard to place a value , not knowing the market...

 

Not unusual to see furniture coming out of churches in the Northeast. This one looks to have been shortened, and the right side hacked into place, which is very common since most people can't fit a 12 foot (or more) bench in their houses (!) 19th century. Not a huge demand for these here so market not great. Here's a similar one that went for $86 at skinner a year ago or so: https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/3314M/lots/156

 

Hard to date because church furniture tends to be so conservative, but I'm thinking 1840-70. Of course you could get a date if you knew how old the church was.

Looks like pine. Has part of it been painted and stripped in the past? Regardless, I like the finish as-is and would put only a coat of Howard's Feed n' Wax on it and call it good. Unless you're planning on sitting on it a lot, or unless the cracked seat poses immediate danger, I'd leave that as well.

Odd that yours is so lightweight. Ms. Ghopper and I purchased a pine English half-pew from 1820, and it's heavy as iron.

 

Those pews were specifically designed to induce pain and suffering.

 

Thank you for the link and information Jeff, that is very helpful!

 

Thank you for the information. There appears to be various sizes and shapes of nails throughout the piece and I don't think it's ever been stripped/painted as their is a very heavy patina on most of the bench seat/back. It's interesting because both ends of the pew seemed to be very worn in comparison. The seat will most likely have to be repaired but it's not a job I'm going to tackle. I think we're just going to sell it as is since we don't really have a spot for it in the home we just built.

 

Mid 19th century, give or take. Does appear to be pine. Agree that it has been cut down. This is a good thing, as it improve ability to sell. I would shoot for a couple hundred and entertain any offer.

 

Yep. 1840-70.