A French mid-19th century Great Exhibition type silvered and gilt cast iron bedstead.

A French mid-19th century Great Exhibition type silvered and gilt cast iron bedstead. photo Bonhams

the headboard surmounted by a foliate medallion flanked to each side by a cherub, one figuring Diana, the other Apollo, the rectangular stretchers, each centred by a female figure (possibly Nyx) joining the footboard, the central panel with an allegory of love and fidelity featuring a dog above a frieze of pavots and surmounted by an urn flanked by fruits and flowers, the four angles with columnar supports depicting birds, foliage and fruits, two surmounted by a hushing cherub, two with a Cupid, decorated all over with scrolling foliage, the interior lined with removable cushioned red and gold silk damask,146cm wide, 195cm long, 147cm high (57" wide, 76.5" long, 57.5" high). Estimate: £10,000 - 15,000

Notes: A comparable iron bedstead in the Renaissance style, decorated with relief friezes depicting a hunting party, was exhibited at the 1851 Crystal Palace Universal Exhibition in London.
It was exhibited by M. Dupont of Paris and as for the present bed the illustrated catalogue's author underlined: "The whole is of cast-iron, produced from a mould that brings out the figures and details of the design with remarkable sharpness and precision".

Another similar cast-iron bed can be seen in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, exhibited in the Chambre du baron Hope in the 19th century Gallery. This last example has a different finish as it is painted but shows similar ornemental designs including the lying female figures to the sides and the cherubs to the pillars but with a simplified headboard and footboard. It is dated before 1856.

Literature: - "The Crystal Palace Exhibition Illustrated Catalogue London 1851", The Art Journal, 1851, p.13.

Bonhams. Fine Continental Furniture, Sculpture and Works of Art, 7 Jul 2010. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com