State bed
Category
Textiles
Date
1740
Materials
Giltwood, velvet and damask.
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Treasurer's House, North Yorkshire
NT 592879
Summary
State bed covered in red damask. Arms of Edward VII applied to headboard. Prince of Wales feathers to the tester. The bed ensemble comprises (a)Tester covered with red velvet(worn) and decorated with carved and gilded architectural mouldings. Hung with three tassled fringes. At each corner, a gilded putto's head carved in the round, and between Prince of Wales feathers. Underside is coved with shaped central panel and covered in red damask. 600mm x 2260mm x 2325mm; (b)Headcloth of red damask. 2590mm x 1015mm; (c)Headboard, shaped, covered in red damask and edged with red tassled fringes, Arms of Edward VII applied. 1705mm x 1760mm; (d)Pair of Curtains, red damask with metal woven braid, lined with cream-coloured silk. 2700mm x 2110mm; (e)Bed Frame; (f)Box Spring Mattress 2045mm x 1760mm x 150mm; (g)Hair Overlay 2045mm x 1760mm x 150mm; (h)Feather Bolster 1700mm x 80mm.
Provenance
1901 and 1902 photographs show a simpler four post bed in this room, so it is likely that this bed was acquired by Frank Green as a grander replacement between then and 1906 when it is noted in the house guidebook as dated to 1713 and "probably designed by Campbell and Kent from a house in the Eastern counties". Later guidebook entries give date of 1723 and only claim "part of the bed' was original" (see guidebooks 1908, 1910, 1930). The pre-1930 inventory for the house has a note stating, 'Head piece and soffit original from Houghton Hall' and this is repeated in the 1930 inventory (at the time of gift to the National Trust). Given by Frank Green (1861-1954) along with house, garden and contents to the National Trust in 1930.