High post Bedstead and Cornice
Date1790-1820
OriginAmerica, Massachusetts
MediumMaple, white pine, and brass.
DimensionsOH: 77 3/8"; OW: 79"; OD: 53 3/4"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1967-110,A1
DescriptionHigh post bedstead with painted cornice. Headposts square in cross section at juncture with rails, taper towards feet and with chamfered corners above rails, creating octagonal posts, taper towards top. Foot posts square in cross section at juncture with rails, baluster shaped feet, posts have an elongated vase shape surmounted by fluted elongated baluster shaped posts to collar, unfluted above collar. Rails rabbeted along top inside corner with evenly spaced wooden pegs. Headboard double tenoned into head posts with C shaped space between tenons. Bottom of head board flat, top shaped with peaks at either end and rounded center. Three-sided yellow painted cornice, top edge molded, center of each section has raised rectangular painted panel, corners above foot posts are turreted. The raised panel in the center of each section of the cornice is decorated with a vase of flowers in green, blue-green, red, and gold and is bordered with green striping. The stamped brass bed-bolt covers, which show a pair of clasped hands over a branch, appear to be original.Woods: the four posts are curly maple, the rails are maple, and the headboard and cornice are white pine. The posts, rails, and headboard have been covered with a dark stain; the cornice is painted yellow.
MarkingsRoman numerals on bed parts
1760-1780
1750-1765
1760-1820
1780-1800
1790-1810
ca.1830
1770-1790
Ca. 1790
1760-1790
1815-1830
1790-1810
1780-1810