State bed
Category
Furniture
Date
1740 - 1901
Materials
Velvet and wood.
Measurements
855 x 2020 mm; 2360 mm (Length)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Treasurer's House, North Yorkshire
NT 592805.1
Summary
State bed covered in faded green velvet with coronet and arms of Alexandra, Princess of Wales, and carved and gilded acanthus brackets at the corners and lined with gold-coloured damask . The whole ensemble comprises: Tester (greatly worn), covered in green velvet with carved and gilded acanthus brackets at the corners and lined with gold-coloured damask; Headcloth of faded green velvet overlaid with tassled fringes hung in hoops and coronet applied; Headboard of faded green velvet overlaid with tassled fringes hung in loops and bearing arms of Alexandra, Princess of Wales; Pair of curtains in faded green velvet with tassled fringes (practically no velvet pile left); Bed frame; Base valance in three parts of faded green velvet with gold braid -very worn; Box spring mattress; Hair overlay; and a Feather bolster.
Full description
The first inventory for the house (pre-dating its gift to the National Trust) notes the bed was "from Houghton Hall, soffit and backboard original'. Early guidebooks noted it was, "from a house in the Eastern counties, by Kent, cornice and upholstery is partly reproduced".
Provenance
Given by Frank Green (1861-1954) along with house, garden and contents to the National Trust in 1930 Provenance Notes: (KH Inv. states 'From Houghton Hall soffit and backboard original'. See also 1930 inv. GBs 1906-1930 claim 'from a house in the Eastern counties, by Kent, cornice and upholstery is partly reproduced).