High Post Bedstead

Date1770-1800

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumMahogany and oak

DimensionsOH: 91 3/8" OL: 78 1/2" OW: 57 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1970-28

DescriptionAppearance: High post bedstead; four posts, cylindrical in cross-section above rails and tapering slightly to top; turned collar near top with ring molding below; ring turnings at base of turned section; at rails posts become square in cross section, the bolt holes on two sides covered by stamped brass bolt covers (one missing but all replaced); posts terminate in applied Marlborough feet on wood and metal casters; four rails, square in cross-section, each molded on outer, upper edge, rabetted on inner edge with row of pegs stuck into evenly spaced holes on each rabbet; plain headboard with tri-part, scalloped top, which fits into grooves on inside edge of turned section of each headpost.

Woods: Mahogany throughout except for pegs on rails which are oak.
MarkingsNone found except for Roman numeral marks.
ProvenanceAccording to source, this bed was originally in the Morris house on South Eighth Street in Philadelphia. Members of the Morris family married into the Ellis family who lived at "Mount Equity" in Muncy, Pa. Bed remained at that address until the Lydia Ellicott Morris sale of the Samuel Morris estate on October 24, 1931. Bed purchased then by Mrs. Dorothy A. Quigley's of Lock Haven, Pa. Bed sold at the auction of Mrs. Quigley's property at Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, Jan. 31, 1970, Lot 213.