What Baroque form is an upholstered low bench?

• A. Chaise
• B. Banquette
• C. Settle
• D. Sofa

Answer: (B)

In Baroque interiors, seating often included long, upholstered benches that could accommodate several people and sit low against a wall or at a table. A banquette is exactly that: a long, upholstered bench designed for multiple sitters, typically low in height and used to create flexible, social seating around a room or dining area.

A chaise is a single reclining chair with an elongated seat, not a bench for many people. A settle is a sturdy, usually high-backed wooden bench, often heavy and more rustic in feel, not a low upholstered piece. A sofa is a freestanding upholstered seating piece with back and arms, but it’s not the elongated bench form positioned along a wall. Therefore, the best match for an upholstered low bench is banquette.