Half-tester bed
Date
1800 - 1899
Materials
Wood, Beech, Hardwood, Cotton sateen, Horsehair, Horse-hair, Kapok, Iron, Brass
Measurements
347 x 200 x 240 cm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
NT 959311
Summary
A green-painted and parcel-gilt half-tester bed, English, 19th century. Topped by a carved green and giltwood oval canopy, hung with later floral-printed corded cotton. The headboard with moulded frame and cut corners upholstered in pale green cotton sateen padded with a combination of horsehair and kapok, held in position by diamond-shaped buttoning. The footboard also with moulded frame and cut corners. The posts fluted and carved with acanthus and floral patera; the feet tapering and fluted and on castors.
Full description
This bed was made sometime in the 19th century when this room was converted into an additional bedchamber for important guests at a time when Nostell was a significant social and political hub for the 1st Baron St Oswald. The Duchess of Westminster is known to have slept in this room on a later visit to Nostell Priory in 1936. It was painted in green and gold to match the other furniture in the room (and that in the adjoining 18th century state bedchamber) which is japanned in the same colour, and which was supplied by Thomas Chippendale. Probably supplied with other pieces of green-painted and japanned furniture, such as the two stands NT 959313 & NT 959312, to enlarge Chippendale's set.
Provenance
Purchased by the National Trust by private treaty sale from Lord St Oswald in 2010.
References
Gilbert (1978): Christopher Gilbert, The Life & Work of Thomas Chippendale (1978), 2 volumes., Volume I, p. 171