6'
width Chestnut hand carved marriage bed
This majestic bed dates from the second or third quarter
of the 19thC. Breton beds then were essentially built
as a kind of wardrobe with sliding doors 3' off the
ground. A couple would climb onto a coffer then in through
sliding doors into the bed within the 'wardrobe' and
close the doors behind them. As the entire family lived
and slept in one large room this afforded some privacy.
From the late 19thC the beds were often simply un-pegged
and reconfigured to make a modern open bed. They are
virtually all made from chestnut, now beautifully aged.
The carved vines on the tailboard are a common marriage
motive to signify fertility for the union. The headboard
has four panels of well carved stylised flowers and
leaves below a bobbin turned gallery. In the centre
of this is a niche for a statuette of the Madonna to
watch over the sleepers. This feature is typical of
the north coast of Finistere including Roscoff, Morlaix
and Lannion.
The bed is super king size (6' wide by 6'6" long)
and quite imposing. It has similarities with (entirely
unavailable) early english styles and would look great
in a period property. Tell guests it was inherited from
your ancestor, the First Earl of Battersea!
Sold
but we currently have more of this type of panel to
be made into beds
The Bed Workshop
The Old Pickle Factory, Braunton Road, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 3AA
0117 963 6659 (+44 117 963 6659)
Open: Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm E-mail us | Location
map
