American Victorian Half-Tester Bed
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Exceptional carving and grandeur recommend this magnificent half-tester bed
Key Features
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- This sophisticated half-tester bed exemplifies American Victorian elegance
- Crafted of rosewood and mahogany, this bed is adorned with exceptional carving
- Both beautiful and practical, the bed also boasts telescoping mosquito net supports
- Provenance: North Carolina, Private Collection
- Circa 1860
- 68 5/8" wide x 112" high x 89 ½" length
Item Details
- Width:
68 5/8 Inches - Height:
112 Inches - Period:
19th Century - Origin:
America
This exceptionally rare American Victorian, rosewood and mahogany half-tester bed exhibits superior craftsmanship and detail. Embellished with elaborate carving from the paneled headboard, which boasts a fruit-and-shell cartouche, to the footboard, the bed is also as practical as it is beautiful. Telescoping mosquito netting supports are cleverly hidden in the Gothic-paneled foot posts, and extend with ease. A canopy of folded silk completes this elegant design.
A bed of such remarkable size and luxury, reminiscent of the Antebellum era, served as the ultimate status symbol and was among the most prized of possessions. Most of the known furnishings from this period are tucked away in museums or held by a few families of long Southern lineage and are very desirable, especially those of such commanding size and grandeur.
Provenance:
North Carolina, Private Collection
Circa 1860
68 5//8" wide x 112" high x 89 ½" length
In the thirteenth century, canopy or tester beds were first introduced to high society as an alternative style bed that allowed for greater seclusion at night. The first tester beds were made with suspended cords attached to overhead beams on which curtains hung. Tester beds quickly developed into bedchambers, used to provide privacy for sick persons. By the fifteenth century, canopy beds developed into palatial pieces of furniture. During the reign of William and Mary, the bedsteads became very tall, although they were less wide, in keeping with their loftier rooms. Eventually, tester beds were crafted in more stylized designs, which led furniture makers to consider both functionality and aesthetic value when creating these masterpieces. The ultimate romantic concept soon became the canopy or Tester with sumptuous drapes.
A bed of such remarkable size and luxury, reminiscent of the Antebellum era, served as the ultimate status symbol and was among the most prized of possessions. Most of the known furnishings from this period are tucked away in museums or held by a few families of long Southern lineage and are very desirable, especially those of such commanding size and grandeur.
Provenance:
North Carolina, Private Collection
Circa 1860
68 5//8" wide x 112" high x 89 ½" length
In the thirteenth century, canopy or tester beds were first introduced to high society as an alternative style bed that allowed for greater seclusion at night. The first tester beds were made with suspended cords attached to overhead beams on which curtains hung. Tester beds quickly developed into bedchambers, used to provide privacy for sick persons. By the fifteenth century, canopy beds developed into palatial pieces of furniture. During the reign of William and Mary, the bedsteads became very tall, although they were less wide, in keeping with their loftier rooms. Eventually, tester beds were crafted in more stylized designs, which led furniture makers to consider both functionality and aesthetic value when creating these masterpieces. The ultimate romantic concept soon became the canopy or Tester with sumptuous drapes.
