19th Century English Beds
ENGLISH BEDS, victorian breakfast table paws on column 19thC
An enormous variety of beds were made in the 19thC. Concern for hygiene brought metal beds (see p. 28) and eventually the end of hangings. Single and twin beds arrived in the 1890s. There are fine 20thC reproductions.
STYLE AND APPEARANCE
Four main types:
Four-post, antique china commode set 1800-1860: Continuing classical designs but heavier. Bun feet, how much is a victorian kidney shaped wine cabinet worth reeding and lotus flower vases common on posts. Decorative shaped head and footboards around 1850 (previosly plain headboards only). Domed and wagon-tile canopies replaced by 1850 by straight concave cornices.
French beds (modern term lit en bateau), 18th century plat rack 1800-1840: In the Grecian style popular for all Regency and Empire furniture.
Like a double-ended sofa; two scroll ends of equal height with deep, georgian antique embossed silver cream jugs usually curved, bunch of grapes pub, john davis, 1700’s, soho show-wood sides. Placed side-on to wall, what is a frieze drawer hangings suspended from pole or wooden canopy attached above. Many discarded when unfashionable, gold gilded vases antique dynasty family asian raised rope sides or converted into sofas. Heavier versions with upright ends made in Gothic and late-classical (18thC) styles during the 1830s and 1840s.
Above, 1896 gate leg table antique French bed. four-post frame with wagon-tilt canopy.
Selection of designs for 19thC bedposts.
Walnut half-tester with plain moulded cornice, antique chamber pots french about 1860.
Half-testers, antique sofa george iv 1840-1880: Wooden D-shaped canopies, antique dining room chairs 1930 mostly with moulded cornice and plain concave frieze; occasionally carved ornament above. Tall, antique buffets marquetry decorative panelled footboard only, glasgow cabinetmakers 1940 many also D-shaped with turned, american armchairs sometimes semi-free-standing posts and finials. Scrolling rococo revival ornament common until 1870s; after, french clockmakers bulle more complex neo-classical carving pilasters, ladies vintage breguet watch, 9ct gold london 1919 urns. Similar, 1920s sideboard marquetry but double-ended beds without canopy made after about 1875.
`Modern’ designs, jacobethan 1930 1890-1915: Show arts and crafts influence. Double-ended, antique small wooden pot with lid head usually higher than foot. Often square-sectioned horizontal and vertical members. Slatted ends of flat panels of veneer. Usually a metal mattress frame.
MATERIALS
Mahogany, pembroke iron daybed with rosewood until 1840, antique etched mirrors walnut after. Oak for both Gothic and for later modern designs.
CONSTRUCTION
Screwed mortise-and-tenon joints, kpm porcelain bird holes filled with decorative rosettes or, vintage spider leg table more commonly, argy cutlery
Elizabethan-style carved bed, antiques arts and crafts desk about 1840.
wooden discs. French beds veneered. Additional support for testers from hidden brackets or ceiling rods or chains.
Mattress supports; stretched canvas, oak folding tea table with inlay design wooden slats. Wire mesh and springs on , canape adjustable pour chateau modern’ beds which had metal rails dovetailing on to projecting metal brackets screwed to uprights.
DECORATION
Regency: metal mounts.
Victorian: Applied split mouldings and carving; figured veneer; inlay of contrasting woods, dark wood cupboards zen pattern ivory, small art deco folding serving table ebony or
mother-of-pearl.
FINISH
Oil or wax polish; French polish on large areas; later oak pieces generally stained.
RELATIVE VALUES
Often large and cumbersome objects and never very popular, gothic chairs for church so prices generally low; almost always near the bottom of the four-figure range.
Tags: 1830s, arts and crafts, bedposts, BEDS, canopy, DECORATION, empire furniture, ENGLISH, FOUR-POST, french bed, furniture, mahogany, metal beds, Regency, rococo, rococo revival, sofa, Walnut