The four highly decorative, Elizabethan-style benches that surround Mr. Yew were designed by Beatrix Farrand in 1934. The benches offer an opportunity for rest, tucked into the four corners of the yew hedge. Movement and repose are equally important elements in Farrand’s design for the Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, and the benches are an excellent example of the close attention Farrand paid to moments for rest. Originally built from teak and iron, the benches were reproduced as part of the Dumbarton Oaks Garden Furniture Preservation Project in 2018. Using computer-assisted design, as well as raw measurements, 3D models were created for each of the seats before the benches themselves were shipped down to Costa Rica where an exact replica could be built out of ethically sourced, FSC-certified teak.
Image: Mr. Yew benches, Stewart Bros., 1933. Garden Archives, GP-24-31
More Exhibit Items
