Archive for the ‘ Bed-Steps ’ Category
SMALL CONSOLE TABLES - PAINTED SATINWOOD WINDOW SEATS - MAHOGANY SERPENTINE-TOPPED SILVER TABLE - GILTWOOD ARMCHAIRS
SMALL CONSOLE TABLES - PAINTED SATINWOOD WINDOW SEATS - MAHOGANY SERPENTINE-TOPPED SILVER TABLE - GILTWOOD ARMCHAIRS
A PAIR OF GEORGE III CARVED GILTWOOD AND GESSO SMALL CONSOLE TABLES, of bowed form, the friezes carved with classical urns and flowerheads within guilloches and raised on fluted
leaf-carved legs, 2ft. 9in. high by lft. 9in. zvide (84cm. by 54cm.) circa 1780, with verde antico marple tops.
A FINE PAIR OF GEORGE III OVAL GILTWOOD MIRRORS, the centre plate within a bead moulded frame and bordered by oval paterae ail within a gadroon-carved frame, the cresting formed
of a classical urn raised on an acanthus spray and with wheat-ear top and draped with ribbon-tied husks, 5ft. 6in. high by 2ft. 7V2in. wide (168cm. by 80cm.) circa 1775.
A FINE PAIR OF GEORGE III PAINTED SATINWOOD CARD TABLES en suite with the preceding lot, with semi-circular tops and square tapering legs, painted throughout with trailing
chains of convolvulus and roses, in blue, pale pink and green, 2ft. 5in. high by 3ft. wide (74cm. by 91cm.) circa 1780.
A PAIR OF GEORGE III PAINTED SATINWOOD WINDOW SEATS, en suite with the preceding lot, with slightly bow-fronted caned seats, the slightly canted ends matching the backs of the
armchairs, 2ft. 5in. high by 3ft. Hin. wide (74cm. by 120cm.) circa 1780.
A PAIR OF GEORGE III GILTWOOD MIRRORS, each rectangular bevelled looking glass within a moulded frame, the lambrequin cresting above an oval Wedgwood medallion in leaf-carved
frame and surrounded by carved leaves with trailing carved leaves at the sides, the apron centred by an oval patera and hung with leaves, 4ft. 6′/2tn. high by Ift. 9in. zvide
(138cm. by 53cm.) circa 1775.
AN UNUSUAL GEORGE III PARQUETRY SECRETAIRE IN TWO PARTS, the upper part with a moulded comice and gallery above a frieze drawer with a flap set with a central oval of
partridgewood and crossbanded in kingwood, forming a wnting surface and enclosing a fitted interior, the lower part with a pair of cupboard doors similarly decorated on turned
bun feet, the whole inlaid with boxwood and ebony stringing, 4ft. 8in. hign by 2ft. 6V2in. wide (142cm. by 78cm.) circa 1790.
A SET OF EIGHT GEORGE III GILTWOOD ARMCHAIRS, the canouche-shaped padded backs within moulded frames with outcurved padded arm supports, stuffed seats and serpentine. seatrails
on spirally fluted and turned front legs, circa 1780.
The above lot bears a great similarity in design to the suite of seat furniture supplied for Hugh, first Duke of Northumberland by Chippendale, Haig & Co. in 1773 for Adam’s
Glass Drawing-room, at Northumberland House (demolished 1878, the remnants of the Glass Drawing-room are now in the Victoria and Albert Museum) A photograph of the Glass
Drawing-room, dating from 1870 is illustrated in North¬umberland House, London by Ian Dunlop, published in Country Life, July 30 1953.
A PAIR OF GOOD GEORGE III MAHOGANY ARMCHAIRS, each moulded frame with padded oval back and padded arms with outscrolled ends, on inswept moulded supports, the bowed seatrails
raised on circular tapering fluted front legs, circa 1775.
A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SERPENTINE-TOPPED SILVER TABLE with a dentil gallery, the frieze carved with flowerheads and the chamfered moulded legs similarly decorated, on brass
castors, 2ft. 4in. high by 2ft. Win. wide (71cm. by 86.5cm.) circa 1775.
A GEORGE III KINGWOOD-VENEERED WRITING AND WORK TABLE, the divided hinged leather-lined top rising on a pair of spring-operated supports and enclosing a rising pen compartment,
with a frieze drawer and a slide for a work bag at one side, on square tapering legs with castors, 2ft. 5in. high by lft. Win. wide (74cm. by 56cm.) circa 1790.
MAHOGANY DINING CHAIRS - SERPENTINE COMMODE - BREAKFRONT BOOKCASE - PAINTED AND PARCEL-GILT TORCHERES
MAHOGANY DINING CHAIRS - SERPENTINE COMMODE - BREAKFRONT BOOKCASE - PAINTED AND PARCEL-GILT TORCHERES
A SET OF FOURTEEN EARLY GEORGE III MAHOGANY DINING CHAIRS including a pair of Armchairs, the backs with serpentine toprails and pierced vase splats with moulded incurved arms,
dipped leather-covered seats and square moulded legs joined by H-stretchers, circa 1765, ail re-railed and with later castors.
A GEORGE III MAHOGANY TRIPOD TABLE, the circular top with a brass-inlaid moulded rim and baluster and openwork gallery, the fluted and acanth^leaf-carved baluster stem on
cabochon-carved legs with acanthus leaf scroll toes, 2ft. 5Vnn. htgh by 2ft. 2in. diameter (75cm. by 66cm.) circa 1765.
A GEORGE III MAHOGANY TRIPOD TABLE, the circular top with a moulded rim and baluster gallery, on a turned tapered stem and moulded inscrolled tripod base, 2ft. 6V4in. high
by2ft. 5in. diameter (77cm. by 74cm.) circa 1760.
A SET OF FOURTEEN EARLY GEORGE III MAHOGANY DlNING CHAIRS including a
pair of Armchairs, the backs with serpentine toprails and pierced vase splats with moulded incurved arms, dipped leather-covered seats and square moulded legs joined by
H-stretchers, circa 1765, ail re-railed and with later castors.
AN EARLY GEORGE III MAHOGANY SERPENTINE COMMODE, the moulded top with projecting square corners and four graduated long drawers with original brass loop handles, with shaped
sides and square fluted corners, on short square tapering legs, 3ft. high by 4ft. 2in. wide (92cm. by 127cm.) circa 1775.
AN UNUSUAL GEORGE III MAHOGANY SERPENTINE-TOPPED TEA TABLE, on Cluster columned legs headed by acanthus leaf capitals and moulded scrolling brackets and joined by a later turned
X-stretcher, 2ft. min. high by 2ft. IV/iin. wide (70cm. by 90cm.) circa 1765.
A GEORGE III MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT BOOKCASE, the moulded top with Greek key and Chinese blind fretwork and centred by a broken triangular pediment, with four astragal glazed doors
below enclosing adjustable shelves, the lower part with a slide above two short and one long drawer and a pair of cupboard doors below flanked by three drawers, on a plinth
base, 8ft. 2in. high by 7ft. lin. zvide (249cm. by 231cm.) circa 1770.
A SET OF EIGHT EARLY GEORGE III MAHOGANY CHAIRS including a pair of Armchairs, the moulded backs with serpentine toprails and pierced vase splats, the arms with outscrolled
handles and the dipped stuffed seats on square moulded legs with H-stretchers, circa 1770, restored and one with back damaged.
A GEORGE III BRASS-BOUND MAHOGANY OCTAGONAL WINE-COOLER, the hinged lid with a beaded interior, with brass carrying handles at the sides, on a conforming stand with a fluted
frieze on splayed moulded square legs and brass castors, 2ft. 3in. high by 2ft. lin. zvide (69cm. by 63.5cm.).
A PAIR OF GEORGE III PAINTED AND PARCEL-GILT TORCHERES, each circular stepped top applied with gilt plaster leaves and raised on an elegant column and three Hat tapering
supports headed by well-carved rams’ heads and joined by a concave guilloche band, on drum bases, 5ft. lin. high (155cm.) circa 1775.
Antique Bed-Steps
BED-STEPS
About 1790-1900
George III bed-steps, difference bohemian and venetian 19th century glassware Brussels carpet on treads.
People of consequence had many layers of mattresses on their beds; sometimes the bedding was so high that steps were needed. For a long time bed-steps were crudely made and hidden beneath the bed; but from about 1790 they doubled as commodes and became more significant and decorative pieces of furniture.
Many are now sold as ‘library steps’, rounded front commode their innards removed and the carpet originally covering their treads replaced with leather.
STYLE AND APPEARANCE
Two phases:
1790-1830: Generally three steps, cabinet c. c 1770 sycamore veneers the lowest a platform base and the upper step or steps formed a receptacle for a chamber pot with hinged lid or lids. Sometimes a bidet was fitted
Sotheby`s in the remaining step; very occasionally, antique christening shell this had a front-opening cupboard. Commode drawer slid forward to provide a seat. Steps mostly straight-fronted, decanter produced for the prince of wales caernarvon in 1969. occasionally curved. Some with raised sides. Legs were short, antique flemish twist rocking chair either square sectioned and tapering, commode side tables splayed, antique french cornices sabre or turned.
1830-1900: Generally two steps only. Most were a rectangular box form with broad, convex antique mirror with metal work, made in england stumpy turned legs and feet, british antique queen anne chair the front ones moving forward, 7 inch high mantel clocks pulling lower step from underneath a hinged top commode.
George III bed-steps enclosing a bidet, wooden tier table vintage
MATERIALS
Usually mahogany; occasionally satinwood. Oak for Victorian Gothic.
CONSTRUCTION
Early and better quality pieces were veneered, edwardian bookcase with legs otherwise solid. Commode drawer could pull forward on system of counterbalanced weights, antique mahogany leather cane backed chair otherwise on runners.
DECORATION
Simple boxwood or ebony stringing lines on Regency pieces. Carving on more elaborate Gothic examples.
FINISH
Wax polish.
RELATIVE VALUES
Prices very variable, florentine cupboard falling rapidly from thousands (for Regency) into hundreds (for Victorian). Fine timber –
particularly satinwood – a great advantage.
William IV mahogany bed-steps with shaped sides.