Bed
Furniture MakerAttributed to
Eliphalet Chapin
(American, 1741 - 1807)
Dateabout 1775
MediumCherry, iron, canvas, rope
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height including testers x width x depth): 84 3/4 x 53 x 76 3/4in. (215.3 x 134.6 x 194.9cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1982.47.1a-q
DescriptionCherry bedframe in the Chippendale, or rococo, style, with legs in the style of the Eliphalet Chapin school. The head of the bedframe has two tapered head post columns, each of which is over a rectangular block, a straight swelled leg, and a tapered foot. The head posts are joined by a solid headboard with a peaked top edge, over a rail with multiple small knobs, or pegs (replaced); each knob is joined to the inside of a rabbet on the interior top edge of the rail. The foot of the bedframe has fluted foot post columns, each of which is over a separately turned round base, a rectangular block, and a cabriole leg that ends in a carved claw-and-ball foot. The bottom tip of each flute on the column extends below the column, and terminates on the separately turned base. The foot posts are joined by a rail with multiple small knobs (replaced); each knob is joined to the inside of a rabbet on the interior top edge of the rail. Each cabriole leg has a cyma, or S-curved, knee bracket where the leg joins the rail. The bedframe has two removeable, long side rails, each with multiple small knobs (replaced); each knob is joined to a rabbet on the interior top edge of the rail. The side rails are tenoned into the rectangular block at the top of each leg; each of these joints are secured with large iron screws, or bolts. The exterior top edge of each rail has ovolo, or quarter-round, molding, flanked by a fillet, or short flat section.
The bedframe is accompanied by four wooden testers (all replaced), or rails at the top of each side of the bedframe that are used to support bed hangings. (Testers not shown in photograph.) Each tester has a lap joint at the end and a small drilled hole to fit into a slender iron post at the top of each head and foot post. The underside of each tester has a modern curtain rod and velcro for attaching bed hangings.
The bedframe is also accompanied by a rectangular piece of canvas (replaced) with holes around the edge, and a length of rope (replaced). The rope would be wound around the canvas and the knobs on each rail of the bedframe to support a mattress.
Condition: The width and possibly the depth of the bedframe have been altered. The headboard is replaced. The knobs, or pegs, on each of the four rails are replaced. Later holes in all four rails were filled; these holes had been added to accommodate different support systems for a mattress. The testers are replaced. The bedframe is refinished.
NotesThe bedframe is accompanied by four wooden testers (all replaced), or rails at the top of each side of the bedframe that are used to support bed hangings. (Testers not shown in photograph.) Each tester has a lap joint at the end and a small drilled hole to fit into a slender iron post at the top of each head and foot post. The underside of each tester has a modern curtain rod and velcro for attaching bed hangings.
The bedframe is also accompanied by a rectangular piece of canvas (replaced) with holes around the edge, and a length of rope (replaced). The rope would be wound around the canvas and the knobs on each rail of the bedframe to support a mattress.
Condition: The width and possibly the depth of the bedframe have been altered. The headboard is replaced. The knobs, or pegs, on each of the four rails are replaced. Later holes in all four rails were filled; these holes had been added to accommodate different support systems for a mattress. The testers are replaced. The bedframe is refinished.
Status
Not on view
