ANTIQUE ITALIAN TESTER BED

A rare and magnificent four post tester bed, Italian late 18th century of unusually large proportions being a King Size. The moulded cornice carved with leaves above scrolling foliage and centred by a scrolled gilt cartouche, the red silk damask lined and domed tester outlined with gilt mouldings and centred by a flower head boss, the acanthus carved leaf capped posts above spirals with bobbin turning above fluted sections terminating in turned bun feet and headed by classical flambeau urns, the shaped head board outlined with ribbon carved mouldings, punctuated by classical gilt urns and surmounted by a basket of summer flowers, the footboard outlined with similar ribbon moulding in scrolls and geometric shapes, headed and centred by basket of flowers.

This rare and unusual tester bed would certainly have been commissioned by a wealthy patron possibly for their own use or it could have been ordered for the visit of an important member of the aristocracy or a high ranking churchman. This bed retains most of its original fabric and where it has been replaced, antique fabric of the same era was used. The use of silk damask would have been extremely extravagant at the time.

The use of a basket of Summer flowers in such prominent positions on this bed are indicative of Hope.

Provenance: This piece came from a small chateau belonging to the Bardou-Job family in the Aude region of France near Carcassonne

Circa: 1790

Origin: France

Condition: Minor conservation in keeping with age. Some of the original fabric has been replaced with silks damask of the same era. Bolts and joints have been replace to ensure safety of structure. Some expected damage to silk

Dimensions: Outside - 250cm long x 173cm wide including tester x 300cm high with finials; Inside - 214cm long x 154cm wide