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 McNeel’s “The Greatest Name In Stonecraft” has a section for benches. This article speaks of the Bruchner Bench Design. On page 213 of this classic treatise, there is an illustrated bench that I like for reasons I will share with you.
Seat
The bench has a flat top. The top edge appears to have a small check with possibly a pencil round or small scotia that flowing vertical downward to the next surface, then followed by multiple moldings and a screen carving panel. Moldings are the ornamental members created through sandblast carving.
The beautiful molding to the face, sides and rear of the seat for this bench really peak my interest.
Screen Carving
The face of the bench has a screen carving with a raised-lettering inscription for the Buchner family name. A screen is a mature process used to sandblast deep pits into the surface.
A raised symbol is carved within the smaller panels on both sides of the large panel bearing the family name.
Two Sunken Fillets
Two primary sunken fillets, carved with what appears to be a scotia-like shape, are parallel 360 degrees on the face, back and sides. These carved ornamental designs might also be called sandblast sunk lines, U-lines or grooves.
A small line serves as molding in the center of the flush part of the bench. The top edge of the bench has a small check with a straight edge that follows the monument. All three lines may have Scotia with the lines.
Legs
The legs have a true scotia with nosing below the scotia. Scotias are concave moldings and are usually found on the ends of monuments or used as a continuous molding around the bench, monument, or base.
McNeel identifies the dimensions of the Bruchner Bench design as follows:
McNeel provided two recommended size options for the Bruchner Bench Design.
213 A
Bruchner
Z-3348
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A
5-0 x 1-6 x 0-6
1-2 x 0-6 x 1-0
B
6-0 x 1-8 x 0-6
0-6 x 1-4 x 1-0
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Seat
2 Seat Rests
Seat
2 Seat Rests
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Monument Dimensions Explained
McNeel’s suggested dimensions for the tablet are as follows:
McNeel’s provided two suggested sizes for the Z-3348 Bruchner Memorial Bench. The smaller bench (Option A) has a seat that is 5 feet long, 1 foot 6 inches wide, and 6 inches tall. The two seat rests are 1 foot 2 inches long, 6 inches wide and 1 foot wide. Thus, after assembly, the height of this bench will be 1 foot 6 inches tall. This bench has a 6 inch wide seat to allow for the artwork on the sides of the seat.
Alternative Design Usage
I like the seat for this memorial. It is strikingly classy and is exceptionally beautiful. This bench would make an outstanding gift to a family when the loved one’s ashes have been disbursed outside a graveyard. You might even consider matching the sub base, the base, and the bench to harmonize a site with matching monuments. Beautiful!
Final Comments
This is a beautiful heirloom memorial bench that would honor any family.
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