<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><metadata xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"  xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"><dc:title xml:lang="en">deacons&apos; benches</dc:title><dc:identifier>http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en?tema=31440730</dc:identifier><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Getty Institute</dc:publisher><dcterms:created>2026-03-30 20:58:47</dcterms:created><dcterms:isPartOf xsi:type="dcterms:URI">http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en</dcterms:isPartOf><dcterms:isPartOf xml:lang="en">Tesaurus d&apos;Art i Arquitectura</dcterms:isPartOf><dc:format>text/html</dc:format> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">benches, deacons&apos;</dcterms:alternative> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">deacon&apos;s bench</dcterms:alternative> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">deacons&apos; bench</dcterms:alternative> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">meeting house benches</dcterms:alternative> <dcterms:alternative xml:lang="en">meeting house seats</dcterms:alternative> <dc:description xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ Benches that were historically seats for the deacons in early protestant church services; the style is now commonly seen in homes. The forms vary, but they are typically long enough for two or three sitters, with a wooden seat, often with a wooden back; the seat may comprise a hinged cover that opens to reveal storage.  ]]></dc:description></metadata>