Blank Canvas Antiques has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
This rare 6ft four-poster bed having solid mahogany tapering footposts which retain the original sunken castors and decorative brass bolt covers, the remaining posts made in mahogany and solid English oak, with oak side rails, all original. This was standard construction for beds produced by Gillows from 1770. It is recorded that Gillows wrote to a customer in November 1770 explaining that “ We make all sorts of bedsteads but the most approved and usual way here is to make the 2 foot pillars of Mahogany and the rest in Oak” (Source: Susan E Stewart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730 -1840).
In the late 18th century the desire for painted finishes and wallpapers alike was in high demand; as a result Gillows started their full service of bed hangings and upholstery in the mid 1780’s . Gillows produced a similar bed for Tatton Park in 1789 (see Lindsay Boyton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760 – 1800 sketch 106).
The cornice is remarkably reminiscent of a window cornice made by the firm at around the same date of 1785/90. See Lindsay Boyton Gillow Furniture Designs 1760 – 1800, colour plate 13.
The bed is stamped “Gillows Lancaster” to both footposts. This represents a very early example of stamped Gillows furniture; although there is no known date to when this process began, records indicate that this is probably one of the earliest.
English, Circa 1790
This bed is in country house condition and does show signs of use and wear.
It would take a mattress ( not included ) with shaped corners of 6 ft wide and 79”1/4 long
Blank Canvas Antiques has dated this piece to the 18th Century.
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18th Century 6ft Gillows Four Poster Bed
