Antique Wooden Bench

I found this at an unadvertised estate sale yesterday for $10. I researched a lot last night, and these are my thoughts: the wood is quartersawn, it may be stained oak, could be Amish, dowels were used. Anyone have a time frame or style name? What is the best way to clean/polish it? Thank you.

 

Reminds me of the old "banker's" desk chairs.

 

Thank you! For reference only, it seems to be a banker's bench
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/benches/vintage-oak-bankers-bench/id-f_9956973/

 

Definitely oak with quartersawn figuring. Besides banks, there were often found in courthouses, train and bus stations, and other comercial/public locations. Not Amish but factory made for comercial use. Great find for $10! Minimum $100 at retail here in the Midwest these days. Have seen similar sell for as much as $350 in the past.

 

That is a crazy price. I am finding some that sold in the $400-600 range at auction, so a realistic price. Still much better than we can do here. This one was $500.00 in Red Hook, NY. Probably not too far from you.

c.1915 OAK BENCH, B.L. MARBLE CHAIR CO., 6' - Jan 09, 2021 | George Cole Auctions in NY (liveauctioneers.com)

 

For similar construction look for "desk chairs" from the turn of the century. It is in the arts and crafts style, but as Brad says, made by office furniture makers. I have two of these myself, one in my office, one (not so nice) in the porch. Those you see are not dowels really but they hide screws. Looks to me it only needs cleaning (with a clean moist rag) and waxing (good beeswax based commercial brand will do), and of course plenty of elbow grease. Very nice!