Elizabeth I oak and walnut bed

Elizabethan oak and walnut bed, with marquetry inlaid decoration to the headboard, tester and frieze.

The headboard with two marquetry decorated panels (derived from the designs by Hans Vredeman de Vries) and flanked by three figures, one female and two male. The corners of the headboard display satyrs: half human, half animal forms, indicating the potential for sexual pleasure and procreation.

The coffered ceiling of the tester framed with double S-scrolls and the four main panels within inlaid with holly and bog oak with applied ornament. The inner frieze decorated with nulling with original black painted polychrome. The outer frieze rails carved, with the flat panels filled with botanical marquetry.

Holding the tester are the walnut fore posts carved and decorated to the highest quality, with huge bulbous cup and cover jewelled columns.

Unlike today, beds were highly prized, they were the site of some of the most significant events of people’s lives. The style and content of the decoration of beds was therefore of great significance. This bed must have been made for a most important patron.

It is most rare to find such beds of this quality and originality with provenance to such a great collector.

Provenance: William Randolph Hearst