Bench Seat - Public Works Department of Victoria, Wooden, circa 1892

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Summary:: Made: Public Works Dept of Victoria, circa 1892. Used at Ballarat Mental Hospital, Victoria, Australia, circa 1892 - 1950
Description:: Wooden bench with reversible back-rest. Back has single horizontal beam rounded on top at mid-back height and flat ends carved in a shape similar to celtic cross. Each has thick metal rod inset up middle and extending 25cm below bottom of end. Lower end of rod is screwed to inside of bench leg, allowing back-rest to be swung to either side of bench. There are slits in each end of seat to allow movement of rod. Seat is a plain thick slab with rounded edges. The 2 legs are flat pieces with sides carved in, mildly waisted, stepped shape.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Lakeside Mental Hospital, Office of Psychiatric Services

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	88.00 cm (Height), 45.50 cm (Width), 83.00 cm (Length)

Tagged with:	mental health, mental health institutions, outdoor furniture, psychiatric hospitals
Themes this item is part of:	Psychiatric Services Collection, Medicine in Society Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection
Primary Classification:	MEDICINE & HEALTH
Secondary Classification:	Mental Health - Institutional Life
Tertiary Classification:	furniture
Inscriptions:	Carved in back-rest: PWD
Manufacturer:	Public Works Department of Victoria, Victoria, Australia, circa 1892
Place & Date Used:	Lakeside Mental Hospital, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, circa 1900
References:	card with exhibit.