Bed

Object Name:

Bed

Object ID:

1970.018.03

Place of Origin:

Central New Hampshire (probably)

Date:

1800-1850

Description:

Bed, Shaker style, three-quarter size, four pieces. Maple and pine. Four pieces (attached headboard, end rail, and posts-A, attached footboard, end rail, and posts-B, side rails-C,D). Mortise and tenon construction with pegged maple posts and rails, pine headboard. Washed red brown to look like mahogany. Head post height 33.75" and foot post height 25.75". 10" long flat section in the center of headboard, which tapers down on sides; height of headboard in center is 12.5" and 7.5" at the ends. Turned posts with mushroom (broad, slightly convex) finials below which is a square portion below which is a round tapered turning. Holes underneath legs presumably for casters. Side boards have tangs that fit into slots in posts and secured with large screws on each end covered with a wooden cap. Four strap iron brackets are screwed into side rails (two in each) to support a mattress. Roman numerals in corners where rails match up. On end rails, five drilled holes, which appear to be patched, but were once intended to be used for ropes. Single hole in each end of the side rails for insertion of screws. All four rails with beveled edges.

Material:

Wood
Maple
Pine

Dimensions:

H-35.125 W-51.25 L-80 inches

Provenance:

From the collection of Arthur W. Stevens, of Concord, NH, the donor's first husband. He was president/treasurer/manager of Concord Lumber Co., and bought up farms for the lumber. It is believed that this (and the other beds in this accession) came from one of those farms, most likely a farm house in Loudon. That particular house was full of antiques.

Credit Line:

Gift of Dorothy R. McNeilly, in memory of Arthur Webster Stevens

People:

Stevens, Arthur W. (1887-1962)

Subjects:

Beds, Furniture, Shakers