An impressive and large crewel-work and painted canopied bed. Mid 19th century. photo Christie's Ltd 2011

incorporating parts of an earlier bed, the crewel-work 18th century. With suspended canopy and matching arched scrolling headboard and footboard, the canopy valance worked with crewelwork and below a painted cornice simulating crewelwork and surmounted by painted wood scroll crestings, the interior of the canopy lined with an additional worked silk valance below a central cartouche worked with needlework and fringing surrounded by gadrooning and coved outer border, with silkwork and crewelwork hangings behind the headboard, both head and footboard embellished with silkwork, crewelwork and fringing, the crewelwork incorporating trailing foliage, birds squirrels and figures, the headboard with a pair of parrots and centred with a beadwork butterfly
120 in. (305 cm.) high as shown, but drapes not quite fully extended. 84 in. (213 cm.) long 68 in. (173 cm.) wide. The footboard 55 in. (140 cm.) high - Estimate £10,000 - £20,000Price Realized £22,500

Provenance: The Herrick Family of Beaumanor, Leicestershire and by descent
Christie's London, 19 September 2002, Lot 190

Literature: 'Unique Bed at Temple Newsam', Leeds Art Calendar, no.8, pg 20-22