Daybed
about 1750 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This day-bed (veilleuse) was made by Jean-Baptiste Tilliard. Tilliard was one of the most prominent Parisian chair-makers during the middle of the eighteenth century who executed much work for the Crown. Several members of the family worked as cabinet makers in Paris during the century. When Jean-Baptiste retired in 1764 his son assumed control of the workshop and continued to use his father’s stamp.
The day-bed has all the hallmarks of the then popular rococo style, with its serpentine form and decorative scheme comprising carved sprays of flowers that alternate with rocaille shells and cartouches.
The arms of the marquise de Pompadour have been added to the back rail of the daybed; this was probably done in the early twentieth century. Madame de Pompadour, who became the official mistress of Louis XV in 1745, was celebrated as a collector and arbiter of taste for much of the nineteenth century. The addition of her arms to this piece reflects the contemporary fascination with Madame de Pompadour – attempting to turn the daybed into a Pompadour relic.
The day-bed has all the hallmarks of the then popular rococo style, with its serpentine form and decorative scheme comprising carved sprays of flowers that alternate with rocaille shells and cartouches.
The arms of the marquise de Pompadour have been added to the back rail of the daybed; this was probably done in the early twentieth century. Madame de Pompadour, who became the official mistress of Louis XV in 1745, was celebrated as a collector and arbiter of taste for much of the nineteenth century. The addition of her arms to this piece reflects the contemporary fascination with Madame de Pompadour – attempting to turn the daybed into a Pompadour relic.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | carved and gilded wood |
| Brief description | Daybed of carved and gilded wood, by Jean-Baptiste Tilliard, upholstered in modern chiné silk with rose-like flowers and blue stripes. The frame is carved with rococo motifs, with the arms of Madame de Pompadour added as a cresting |
| Physical description | Day-bed (veilleuse) with frame of carved and gilded wood, with upholstery (including loose cushions) of chiné silk with a design of rose-like flowers between blue stripes. The day-bed is raised on nine cabriole legs on volute feet. The day-bed is of serpentine form carved with sprays of flowers alternating with rocaille shells and cartouches. The back is brought round to enclose each end. The serpentine top rail is carved with bunches of flowers and rocaille scroll work en suite with the lower rail. A rocaille cartouche at the head has been removed at a later date and an heraldic shield carved with the arms of the Marquise de Pompadour substituted (azure, three towers argent). |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | TILLIARD (Stamped on front face of long back seat rail (between middle and head end)) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Edith Beatty to Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, by whom given to the Museum in her memory |
| Object history | Given to the Museum by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (Nominal File: Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, RF number 56/1711). It was noted that Sir Alfred's furniture had been catalogued by Francis Watson of the Wallace Collection and it is presumably from him that it is noted 'there is no definite proof that it belonged to the Marquise de Pompadour as the carving of her arms on the front of the frame is most probably added at a later date. At that time, according to notes on the file it was upholstered in 'floral silk brocade'. This, with the pair of chairs (W.6 and W.7-1956, donated at the same time) were shown almost immediately in the New Acquisitions Court. In the 1970s it was reupholstered with green velvet. When this was removed in 2015 to re-upholster the daybed for the new Europe Galleries; a small sample of this covering was archived. |
| Summary | This day-bed (veilleuse) was made by Jean-Baptiste Tilliard. Tilliard was one of the most prominent Parisian chair-makers during the middle of the eighteenth century who executed much work for the Crown. Several members of the family worked as cabinet makers in Paris during the century. When Jean-Baptiste retired in 1764 his son assumed control of the workshop and continued to use his father’s stamp. The day-bed has all the hallmarks of the then popular rococo style, with its serpentine form and decorative scheme comprising carved sprays of flowers that alternate with rocaille shells and cartouches. The arms of the marquise de Pompadour have been added to the back rail of the daybed; this was probably done in the early twentieth century. Madame de Pompadour, who became the official mistress of Louis XV in 1745, was celebrated as a collector and arbiter of taste for much of the nineteenth century. The addition of her arms to this piece reflects the contemporary fascination with Madame de Pompadour – attempting to turn the daybed into a Pompadour relic. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.5:1,2-1956 |
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| Record created | November 27, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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