This magnificent bed of intricately carved and gilded wood was delivered by Chippendale's men on 12th November 1773 and lovingly described in his bill. At £250 and another £150 to make up the three mattresses, bolsters, linen and decorative fringes, this bed is probably one of the most expensive pieces of parade furniture Chippendale made. It was only intended to be used by the most important guests and was barely slept in before it was dismantled by the Victorians in the 1850's.
The bed originally sat within the alcove, but in the 1850's this was reduced in depth in order to place a servants passage behind it. State Bedrooms had by that time become very old fashioned and so the bed became redundant and the room became a more practical sitting room for the family. In its heyday, however, the State Bedroom was a lavish display of Edwin Lascelles' extreme wealth. Alongside the bed Chippendale also provided a suite of seat furniture, with similar carved and gilded decoration, a commode and secretaire made out of Oriental black lacquer panels and a pair of two Oriental cabinets on stands. On the walls were two very large carved and gilded sconces and above the fireplace an Oriental chimney-glass described by John Jewell in his Tourist's Companion of 1819 as 'an elegant Indian glass adorned with their King, Queen and attendants'. The whole room would therefore have been a stunning and opulent display of green, black and gold intended to impress and stun guests visiting Harewood House.
For over 200 years it slumbered in a loft over the stable block gradually becoming more and more decayed. When it was re-discovered in the 1970's the majority of it's gilding had been destroyed and only a fragment of the drapery had survived. This fragment however provided the correct design for the silk damask to be re-woven and hung on the bed. The original drapery for the walls, curtains and bed hangings was in fact bought and provided by Edwin Lascelles and made up by Chippendale's upholsterers in his workshop in St Martin's Lane, London. This is the only piece of Chippendale furniture which has retained any original damask upholstery.
The State Bed has recently been lovingly restored. To view video footage showing the restoration process visit the State Bed area of this site.
State Bed
1773
The Earl & Countess of Harewood, & the Trustees of the Harewood House Trust
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