103. AN EXCEPTIONAL ELIZABETHAN RENAISSANCE OAK TESTER BED, LOW COUNTRIES, CIRCA 1570-1600.

The tester divided into four panels with moulded and dentil recesses centred by raised lozenges, all divided by scallop carved rails, the moulded and floral interlace cornice rails divided by carved patera with applied ebonised mouldings, above a joined panelled headboard carved with three foliate and geometric interlace arabesques and twin horizontal floral interlace carved panels above three further plain lower panels. The tester supported by spectacular front posts carved with pierced Corinthian capitals above a slim ebony collar, the fluted uprights further carved with raised floral arabesques on ebony plinths. The posts attach to the footboard with original wooden cut screw threads. The joined footboard mirrors the headboard with three floral arabesques flanked by scallop carved uprights and joined by panelled and arabesque carved siderails. 210cm high and 195cm long.

The inspirations for this Bed are taken from north European architectural prints and design books of the Low Countries from the 1560’s – 1570’s. It closely matches illustrations in a suite of pattern books by the Dutch commercial artist and designer Jan (Hans) Vredeman De Vries, under the title Architectura, published in 1565.

See: Anthony Wells-Cole, ‘Art and Decoration in Elizabethan and Jacobean England - The Influence of Continental Prints, 1558-1625’.

For very closely related architectural fittings: See; p117, fig 172, Ampney Park, Gloucestershire - Fireplace Columns, circa 1625, p.24, fig 17, Loseley Hall, Surrey – Fireplace Pilasters, circa 1560, p.128, fig 190, Cuckfield Park, Sussex, Fitted Hall Screen – Pilasters, dated 1581.

Provenance - Skipton Castle, North Yorkshire till the mid 1970’s.

The Herbert and Norma Beedham Private Collection, till 2007.

Wimbledon Manor, Wimbledon, London.

The Manor, known as the Old Rectory from late medieval times belonged to the Archbishops of Canterbury, it retained the land that is now Wimbledon Common and the grounds of the All England Tennis Club and Croquet Club for many centuries.

After the Dissolution it came into the ownership of Thomas Cromwell in 1536, after his demise passing to the Crown to Queen Catherine Parr in 1543, then by sale to Christopher Hatton in 1546 who sold it to Thomas Cecil, Lord Burghley in the same year. In the mid 1990’s the Manor was owned by the astrophysicist and Queen guitarist Brian May till 2006.