Solid pine storage bench, fine example of 19th-century folk furniture from the Auvergne region. Combining seating and storage, it features a generous interior compartment accessed through a hinged lid fitted with original wrought iron hardware. The façade is articulated by three framed panels. One side now features a projecting upright forming a low armrest or handle, likely the result of an old alteration or functional restoration, suggesting that the piece originally had a different configuration. Traditionally placed beside the cantou—the large hearth that formed the heart of rural Auvergne homes—this type of bench served both as seating and as practical storage for salt, household provisions, or kindling for the fire. with its simple construction, honest proportions, and time-worn patina, the piece embodies the authenticity and utilitarian beauty of French vernacular furniture. Dimensions: Height: 60 cm Seat height: 51 cm Width: 111 cm Depth: 39 cm