The Kungsåra Bench

3D Model

This bench from Kungsåra Church in Västmanland is probably Sweden’s oldest complete furniture. It is on stylistic basis dated between 11th and 12th Century. Both construction and ornaments resemble 9th century artifacts in Norwegian finds from Gokstad and Oseberg. It is possible that the bench was originally part of a profane context and only much later ended up in Kungsåra Church.

Historical image of four ladies (Sigrid Leijonhufvud, Rosa Norström, Märta Leijonhufvud and Fanny von Haartman) trying out the the bench. Photo: The Swedish National Heritage Board