High Post Bedstead and Cornice

Date1760-1780

MediumMahogany, maple, white pine, and tulip poplar

DimensionsOH: 89 3/4" (without cornice); OL: 77 5/8"; OW: 55 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1970-147

DescriptionAppearance: High post bedstead, including four posts, four rails, a headboard and a reproduction tester. Head posts square in cross section with slightly chamfered corners from feet to just below top of headboard to top of post. Tapered from that point upwards with chamfered corners. Foot posts square in cross section at rails and below with applied Marlboro feet, rounded and fluted above rails with blocked collar about a foot below top of posts, unfluted above collar. Headboard rectangular with slightly rounded top, held in place by wooden pins driven into the head posts on either side of headboard. Rails rectangular in cross section with shallow rabbet on top inner edge (of foot and side rails only) with evidence of nailing (possibly for a sacking bottom). Painted scalloped cornice.

Woods: The foot posts are mahogany, the head posts and rails are maple, the cornice is white pine, and the headboard is tulip poplar.
MarkingsRoman and Arabic numerals on posts and rails.
ProvenanceThe provenance of this particular example is unknown.