Tester bed
Philip Hunt
Category
Furniture
Date
1720
Materials
Wood, silk, satin and gesso.
Measurements
3100 x 1680 x 1960 mm
Order this imageCollection
Erddig, Wrexham (Accredited Museum)
On show at
Erddig, Wrexham, Wales, National Trust
NT 1147112.1
Summary
An 'angel' tester bed or 'lit a la duchesse'. The tester bed was supplied by 'Mr Hunt' (probably Philip Hunt) for John Meller in 1720. The headboard and tester are covered in Chinese ivory silk satin, which is embroidered with birds, flowers, figures etc., and applied with giltwood and gesso embellishments, probably by John Belchier. The headboard has twin eagle mask scroll terminals, and a peacock below a shell in the cresting. The tester has peacocks in the centre and at the angles within the gesso strapwork surrounds. There are deep inner and outer valances with gesso strapwork borders, silk fringes and two tassels.
Provenance
Given by Philip Yorke III (1905-1978) along with the estate, house and contents to the National Trust in 1973. See letter S.Y.I. to J.Mellor, 17/4/1720 (Erddig Mss); 1726 Inv. (Best B'chamber) 'white sateen embroidered bed lined with white silk...';
Makers and roles
Philip Hunt, supplier