Tester bed
manner of Gillows of Lancaster
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1800 - circa 1820
Materials
Mahogany, deal, beech, boxwood, ebony, gilt, paint, chintz, cotton, iron
Measurements
303 x 210 x 235 cm
Place of origin
Lancaster or London
Order this imageCollection
Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
NT 960340.1
Summary
A painted and parcel-gilt mahogany tester bed, English, in the manner of Gillows of Lancaster, circa 1800 - 1820. The white-painted cornice arched, tablet-centred and moulded and applied with gilt stars and with four metal finials. The footposts spirally-reeded, baluster-turned and acanthus-carved, on blocks inlaid with a Greek key pattern in boxwood and ebony. Hung with floral chintz and with spotted blue cotton lining. -- In the 19th century, the formal Georgian state apartments at Nostell Priory were transformed into modern living apartments, and firms such as Gillows of London and Lancaster were commissioned to provide smart, elegant and practical bedroom furnishings. It is possible that this bed was supplied by the firm. See also NT 960200.
Provenance
Possibly acquired by Charles Winn (d. 1874), thence by descent until purchased by the National Trust by private treaty sale from Lord St Oswald in 2010.
Makers and roles
manner of Gillows of Lancaster , cabinet maker