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The Badminton Bed
John Linnell, born 1729 - died 1796 - Enlarge image
The Badminton Bed
- Object:
Bed
- Place of origin:
Berkeley Square, England (probably, made)
- Date:
ca. 1754 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
John Linnell, born 1729 - died 1796 (probably, designer and maker)
William Linnell, born 1698 - died 1763 (probably, designer and maker) - Materials and Techniques:
Beechwood, japanned in red, yellow and blue and gilded
- Museum number:
W.143:1 to 26-1921
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 52d, case 4
Object Type
The exotic form of this bed was inspired by Chinese pagodas. The design and the pierced fretwork back are similar to garden tea pavilions built in the Chinese style and found in large gardens throughout Britain and Europe from abouat 1730. Chinese decoration was particularly popular for ladies' bedrooms and dressing rooms.
People
Although the payments for the bed and other bedroom furniture were made jointly by the 4th Duke and Duchess of Beaufort, evidence in the Duchess's private notebooks shows that she was particularly interested in this commission and probably discussed the details with the designer and craftsman John Linnell and his father William Linnell.
Ownership & Use
The bed hangings had been replaced with scarlet woollen hangings by 1835, although the bedding still included the original 18th century hair mattress which was acquired with the bed by the Museum in 1921. In addition there was a feather bed, three blankets, a wool mattress, a straw paliasse (another form of mattress) and a Marsella quilt. In 1929 a replica of the bed was made for the Chinese Bedroom at Badminton House by Angell of Bath.
