The House of Miniatures

THoM Product # 40014 - Chippendale Canopy Bed

Catalog Description: This elegant canopy bed, with square legs and square block feet, is an exquisite focal point in any miniature bedroom. The mattress, included, is supported by strung "rope". 7"h x 5 1/4"w x 6 3/4"d.

Circa: 1750-1790

Style: Chippendale

Period: Colonial

Design © 1976

This type bed was also known as a "bedstead", meaning wooden frame with mattress. Although a few high-post bedsteads in the Queen Anne style have been found in our country, the story of fine American bedsteads really begins at about 1735 with those having square block feet or ball and claw feet in the Chippendale style. The high-post bedstead became an article of elegance in our country, as it was in England, with the increase in wealth and the building of fine houses. The wood used in finer bedsteads in America was generally mahogany. Since there were no commercial springs available for beds, it was common practice to have rope springs which were strung in both directions giving firm support for the straw (or) down feather filled mattress. This bed has square legs, terminating in square block feet, not tapered, which at first sight may appear to be tapered spade feet such as were used by Hepplewhite and Sheraton on side boards and other pieces.The foot-posts were fluted,but the head-posts were plain columns.All the posts were slightly tapered. The canopy curtain and foot skirt were commonly covered with matching design of the wall covering. The fabric design was also found in drapery material giving this classic bed an elegance of the colonial sleeping salon.

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