Swan benches

Swans were a popular motif and design for outdoor furnishings and initially appealed to the Empire style as well as a growing taste for Naturalism in the 19th century.   

 Swans of course have a royal history attached to them.  It is not known when it became customary for swans to be considered Royal Fowl, that is property of the Crown, but records documenting the rules of ownership go back to the middle of the 12th century, with the first written record of royal swan ownership dating back to 1186. In 1246 it is known that the Sergeant of Kennington was seizing cygnets on behalf of the King, and by 1361 the Crown had employed a Master of the King’s Game of Swans, also known as the Royal Swan-herd, Royal Swannerd, or Royal Swan-master.

 For hundreds of years, swans were seen as a prized food, often served as the centrepiece at feasts and banquets, skinned and redressed, with a lump of burning coal in its beak. They were particularly popular with noblemen and royalty. In 1247, for example, Henry III ordered 40 swans for the Christmas celebrations at Winchester.

 When Queen Elizabeth II died, the ownership of the swans passed immediately to King Charles III. And although officially, he owns all unmarked swans, he only exercises his right over parts of the River Thames and its tributaries.

 Swan Upping is seen on our stretch of the River Thames in Henley and there are many waterfront properties down this part of the Thames through Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.  Every year, a census of the swan population of a stretch of the River Thames from Sunbury Lock in Surrey to Adlington Bridge in Oxfordshire takes place over 5 days in July. Although it is largely a ceremonial event, it also plays an important part in the welfare and conservation of swans.

 A flotilla of six Thames rowing skiffs – traditional wooden clinker-built boats – rowed by scarlet-clad Swan Uppers, representing the Crown and the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies, makes its way up the river. The boats are adorned with flags and pennants.  They are headed by The King’s Swan Marker who wears a cap adorned with a single swan feather.

 I love the idea of a French 19th century swan bench being placed in a garden by the river at a riverside home for someone to sit peacefully and gaze at the river with a coffee or glass of wine in hand.  Equally, placing a French swan bench in a garden or on a terrace creates a beautiful antique garden feature.  

 These cast iron swan ends are usually painted white but sometimes we find a black one which is equally stunning.  As the cast iron is so heavy, these swan benches are extremely heavy and sturdy, while at the same time being very comfortable to sit on.  Normally 180cm or 200cm long, they allow two people to sit easily on these and their swan’s elegant necks and white feathered bodies provide a lovely architectural piece for the garden as well as a useful garden bench.