Tester bed
probably Newton & Son
Date
circa 1814 - 1817
Materials
Mahogany, damask, silk, cotton
Measurements
304 x 212 x 218 cm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Basildon Park, Berkshire
NT 266713
Summary
A mahogany tester bed, probably by Newton & Son of Wardour Street, London, circa 1814-17. The textiles possibly supplied by the same firm. The supports fluted and carved with acanthus leaves, the canopy border with rope pattern and shaped, projecting corner brackets with leaves. The bed hung with floral crimson damask, the head and footboards stuffed and covered to match. Soft cream silk lining to hangings, back buttoned with red, and ceiling interior gathered into central rosette. Curtains edged with wide braid and tied with heavy tasselled cord, the festooned hangings with braid tasselled fringes.
Provenance
Probably supplied for Ashburnham Place, Sussex by Newton & Son, London, for George Ashburnham, 3rd Earl Ashburnham between 1814-1817 and then by descent to Rev. John David Bickersteth; Ashburnham Place Sale, 7-9 July, 1953 - Crimson Bedroom [Lot 234]; Lord and Lady Iliffe, Basildon Park, Berkshire, by whom gifted to the National Trust with Basildon Park and Estate, 1978.
Makers and roles
probably Newton & Son, cabinetmaker
References
Ellwood 1995: Giles Ellwood, 'James Newton', Furniture History, vol. 31 (1995), 129-205.