Tester bed
Date
1720 - 1810
Materials
Giltwood, Mahogany, Silk damask
Measurements
272 x 173 x 203 cm
Order this imageCollection
Uppark House and Garden, West Sussex
NT 137658
Caption
A mahogany framed bed, upholstered in partly embroidered silk damask. Put together after 1760, it is made up of many parts (canopy, tester cloth, head cloth), put together from elements belonging to other beds. The Prince of Wales probably slept here during his visits in the 1780's. It has been repaired following severe damage from a fire in 1989.
Summary
A mahogany framed bed, a composite piece put together in the early 19th century, the giltwood putti at the corners of the canopy are of continental origin, the mahogany fluted bedposts raised on square bases are dated circa 1760. The upholstery consists in partly embroidered silk damask and the canopy, tester cloth, headcloth and bedspread belonged to an earlier bed of circa 1720-1730; they are thought to be part of the Lethieullier collection brought to Uppark by Sarah Lethieullier after her marriage to Sir Matthew Fetherstonhaugh in 1746. It stood Formerly in the Prince Regent's Room on the first floor. The bed cover was repaired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1980/81. The bed was repaired following severe damage in the 1989 fire.
Provenance
By descent; given to the National Trust in 1954 with the house and some of its contents by Admiral the Hon. Sir Herbert Meade-Fetherstonhaugh.