The Spangled Bed
attributed to Oliver Browne and John Baker (fl. 1620)
Category
Furniture
Date
1621
Materials
Wood (oak and beech); metal (wrought iron); silk satin; cloth of silver; cloth of gold; metal braid; silver and silver gilt fringes, silk fringe; silver spangles; silver gilt spangles; linen; paper
Measurements
3660 x 1980 x 2285 mm
Place of origin
London
Collection
Knole, Kent
NT 129462.3.2
Summary
Tester, with frame of beech and oak covered in silk crimson satin with spangled strap work applique (silk, silver and silver gilt.) and metal braid edgings.Part of 'The Spangled Bed', made in 1621 by Oliver Browne and John Baker, Upholsterers to the Great Wardrobe, for Anne Cranfield, Countess of Middlesex (d. 1670). With a deep cornice, hung with paned appliqued and embroidered curtains of crimson silk satin with crimson and white damask linings; the frame adorned with an extremely rare appliqué strap work design in cloths of silver and gold, embroidered, fringed with gold and silver braid and studded with silver and silver gilt spangles.
Provenance
Textiles originate from a lying in-suite ordered by Lionel Cranfield, 1st Earl of Middlesex (1575 – 1645) in 1621.
Makers and roles
attributed to Oliver Browne and John Baker (fl. 1620), upholsterer