A Rare & Magnificent Late 18th C Italian King Size Four Post Tester Bed

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A rare and magnificent four post tester bed, Italian late 18th century of unusually large proportions being a King Size. The moulded cornice carved with leaves above scrolling foliage and centred by a scrolled gilt cartouche, the red silk damask lined and domed tester outlined with gilt mouldings and centred by a flower head boss, the acanthus carved leaf capped posts above spirals with bobbin turning above fluted sections terminating in turned bun feet and  headed by classical flambeau urns, the shaped head board outlined with ribbon carved mouldings, punctuated by classical gilt urns and surmounted by a basket of summer flowers, the footboard outlined with similar ribbon moulding in scrolls and geometric shapes, headed and centred by basket of flowers.

This rare and unusual tester bed would certainly have been commissioned by a wealthy patron possibly for their own use or it could have been ordered for the visit of an important member of the aristocracy or a high ranking churchman. This bed retains most of its original fabric and where it has been replaced, antique fabric of the same era was used.  The use of silk damask would have been extremely extravagant at the time.

The use of a basket of Summer flowers in such prominent positions on this bed are indicative of Hope.

Provenance: This piece came from a small chateau belonging to the Bardou-Job family in the Aude region of France near Carcassonne 

The owner of the château was keen on recreating the bel époque style, surrounding himself with pieces in that style. Pierre Bardou-Job was a renowned industrialist based in Perpignan. He died in 1892. The lady who sold the bed to the vendor was a member of the family. 

Dimensions: Outside - 250cm long x 173cm wide including tester x 300cm high with finials; Inside - 214cm long x 154cm wide

Origin: Italy

Circa: 1790

Condition: Country house condition with minor conservation in keeping with age.  Some of the original fabric has been replaced with silks damask of the same era - damage in keeping with age to original silk in some areas of the tester.  Bolts and joints have been replace to ensure safety of structure.

Ref: F828