I think it's a "cobbler's bench."

Can you elaborate on that Downeast Suzy?

This style was all the rage during the "Early American" phase of decorating back during the 60's.

Taking colonial designs, middle America "updated" the forms to suit modern living....In this instance, a traditional cobblers' bench, used to make shoes, has been updated with "mod" flared legs.....

Keep in mind, this was about the time of "mid-century modern". Those that didn't like sllek contemporary lines, could live with theses "updated classics".

Look at re-runs of late 60's "Bewitched"...the color versions, and you'll see a plethora of this bewitching style (pun intended).

My guess is that this example was intended to be used as a cocktail table....The 3 compartments were just part of the design, and to help secure your bric-a-brac.

It looks like a AT-approved landing strip to me.

This is very reminiscent of telephone or "gossip benches". They typically don't have the little drawers, but this could have been designed with a colonial interior style in mind.

You can also see this style represented in the final episodes of I Love Lucy, when the Ricardos and Mertzes move to Connecticut.

hdtex,

Very interesting! I love knowing the stories behind furniture like this :)

I would've said telephone bench as well. Though perfect for a nice landing strip as katlyst already points out! (I was looking for one for my landing strip as well!) Nice find.

I have a more "mid-century" styled gossip bench in my foyer (I guess that should have been obvious . . .) -- and yes, they make absolutely perfect landing strips. Also good for putting on/taking off shoes, wintry wet boots, etc.; as well as a good place to leave things that need to go out of the apt (eg laundry, bags of clothing for goodwill).

Telephone 'table'

oooh, i can see from the cord running to it you got one of the ultra-rare "electric" models. well done!

hdtex,

Thanks for the explanation! I googled some images of cobbler's benches and they do show quite a resemblance (more so than telephone benches) with the compartments and drawers.

The cord unfortunately doesn't belong to the table...

theninthcloud,

Original and reproduction cobbler's benches turn up all the time in New England, as we still have shoe repair persons who call themselves "cobblers."

People use them as coffee tables because they are the right height. It's not a telephone table, as those are chair height.

This example looks like a reproduction rather than a true cobbler's bench.

ahhhh, thanks Downeast Suzy. :)

As Downeast Suzy said, it is indeed a cobbler's bench, though a reproduction, very popular with those who liked colonial furniture, especially knotty pine, in the 1960's to early 1970's. I don't think the flared legs were for the "mod" style, but were part of the design of the true antique cobbler's benches. Flared legs were less likely to tip over while the shoes were being worked on. At that time they were also using reproduction "dry sinks" as console tables.

Looks like an old Telephone table/bench from the perio. Has anyone else responded. I also have one a little different that I could email you a picture of.
Paul

Deanpdeanp--

i'd love to see some photos.