Press bedstead

Dateca. 1760

MediumBirch and white pine

DimensionsOH: 7'5"; OW: 53"; OL: 6'5 1/2 "; L (folded) 25"

Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Schorsch, Jr.

Object number1982-196

DescriptionDESCRIPTION: Folding bedstead with crane canopy supported by diagonal braces. Tester posts at head, turned bulbous foot legs with mushroom knob on top. Chamfered rails with holes through sides of rails for rope. Side rails jointed approximately one quarter of way from head posts. Square, chamfered supporting legs are below the side rails at the joints. A square crosspiece, also chamfered, connects the supporting legs beneath the bed. Bed retains apparently original brick red paint.

CONSTRUCTION: Headboard double tenoned into tester post. Rails tenoned into front and rear legs. Bed bolts further secure side rails into front legs. Foot rail tenons are double pinned with pegs into foot legs. Crosspiece double tenoned into supporting legs under side rail joints. These legs are tenoned and pinned with pegs into side rails. Circular roll joint connected with ¾" diameter pin. Chamfered ends of side rail sections leading into circular joint are meant to hold foot section of bed in upright position when stored. Canopy frame is of tenoned lath. It is held in place by a steel pin on top of each bedpost and two diagonal braces tenoned into the bed posts on one end and the frame on the other.
ProvenanceFrom the Greenwood Collection