'Queen Adelaide's Bed'
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1840
Materials
Oak, textile
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Belton House, Lincolnshire
NT 434822
Caption
A magnificent bed for a modest queen - the Queen’s Bedroom at Belton House, Lincolnshire was redecorated for Queen Adelaide, who visited in 1841. The canopy bed dates from 1813 but was refurbished in the revived Rococo style with the queen’s monogram embroidered in silver on the headboard. The braids, fringes and tassels are original although the striped silk is rewoven. Humble Queen Adelaide, a favourite aunt of Queen Victoria was the queen consort of King William IV. The king had ten illegitimate children during a 20-year affair with actress Dorothea Jordan. Although Queen Adelaide was willing to take on his step-children, sadly she produced no heir to the throne, losing two daughters in early infancy and suffering from several miscarriages.
Summary
An oak and parcel-gilt tester bedstead, English, circa 1840. The canopy with shaped scrolled and pierced cornice centred by the monogram of Queen Adelaide below a crown. The shaped pelmet and hangings of crimson striped silk with heavily fringed and braided borders. The domed interior with crimson silk, the shaped and padded headboard upholstered in crimson silk velvet with couched silver thread monogram crown and braided borders. The foot end of shaped and scrolled outline carved with acanthus. Queen Adelaide, wife of William IV, was born in 1792, and married in 1818. She and her husband restored the popularity of the Royal Family at a time when Republicanism was sweeping over Europe. Adelaide outlived her husband as the Dowager Queen until her death in 1849. She visited Belton in 1841 for which event the Queen's Bedroom was redecorated and furnished.
Provenance
Made for the 'Queen's Bedroom' for the visit of Queen Adelaide in 1841. Purchased with a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) from Edward John Peregrine Cust, 7th Baron Brownlow (b.1936) in 1984.