Colonial Homes and Their Furnishings

eping apartments as well. This has resulted in a revival of old-time features, and the chamber fittings of the present in many cases are similar in type to those of early times, when purely

tury models, he cannot make any comparison that will in any way be derogatory to these wonderfully fine old pieces. In early days, labor was a very different problem from what it is to-day, ye

et that he views the hurry and rush of modern times resulting in the practical abolition of hand carving, and the introduction of machinery that has helped in the deterioration of

makers, it is not surprising that mistakes in these respects are sometimes made, especially as regards the bedstead. For the best of these, one need not search farther back than th

ese later specimens, were imported from England, along with the other household furnishings. If any bedsteads

es, covered with branches, was substituted. Probably the first authentic representation of a bed is found on ancient Egyptian tombs, depicting a long, narrow receptacle, suited for but one person. Greek and Roman beds, representations of which have also been found, are of the single type, resembling in shape the Flemish couches made in the latter half of the seventeenth century, while the Gre

ir rooms, and fitting them with doors and sliding panels to insure against the cold. These cupboard co

doors and the unglazed windows, closed only by loosely fitted shutters. Many of these beds were of prodigious size, the most historic, "The Great Bed of Ware" to which Shakespeare alludes, being twelve feet square, built of solid oak, and finished with the most elaborate carving imaginable. This bed i

edstead in Middl

cover them. A headboard was considered almost indispensable, although it is absent in some cases. It was usually rather low and decorated with carving, more or less elaborate. The footboard was sometimes used, but was quite often omitted in

th of several muscular arms to put it together. The hair mattress was unknown at that period, and in its place was used brown linen sacking filled with straw and buttoned at one side, so that the straw could be ea

pe, in Kittredge House;

made of linen, handspun by some member of the household, and while many were white, some were in colors. One of these, of blue and white homespun pattern, edged

Lafayette, in Stark Mansion. Owned b

orned with roses in each corner, which gave them the name of rose blankets. A blue and white homespun counterpane added the finishing touch, and often the hangings of the bed were of this same material, the curtains bei

f Essex, in which he speaks of two bedrooms in Darius Cogswell's house. These were divided off from the main room by handsome curtains that were stretched the whole way across, and, in the bed reserved fo

and laid on the floor. Among these early types are "Cupboard" or "Presse" bedsteads, frequently mentioned in the inventories from which we gather much of our information. These, when not in use, were fastened up against the wa

the loft in a log cabin. The side and end of the cabin serve for headboard and one side of the bed; saplings nailed to the solitary post that runs from roof to flooring supply footboard and sidepiece;

n popular favor during the preceding reign of William and Mary. Panelings and moldings that had done duty during the Jacobean period were retained in all their splendor, and to these were added the new feature of the claw-and-ball foot. Our oldest

imply made and left undecorated. At this time great advance in the designing of furniture was made, for cabinet-makers published books of designs, and Chippendale, who was doubtless the greatest English exponent of his craft, designed beds with footpieces and sidepieces, carefully paneled and carved. He used tall an

restore the simply classical styles of Greece and Rome, with Greek ornamental figures, such as the acanthus, urns, shells,

of attractive delicacy, used carved rosettes and a delicately carved beading by way of decoration, and delighted

ter; Four-poster showing dec

or the use of inlaid work, and later on he developed painted designs. In his work he introduced many light woods, such as whitewood, satinwood

, and by the time the fashion reached America it simply lowered the bedposts. It was the beginning of the end, however, and forty years later came the Renaissance of black walnut, and with it the relegation of the old four-posters to attic and storehouse, or else to the chopping blo

gle, is made of brass. Originally it belonged to the first owner of the dwelling, Dr. Nathaniel Saltonstall, a contemporary of George Washington, and a descend

ized by a richness of design that is most attractive, and the hangings are in keeping with the exquisiteness of the whole. In this same dwelling is ano

e slender posts and fluting of his type, while another is considered one of the best spec

he Field bedstead, standing exactly as it did when Lafayette occupied it so m

was when first placed in the house, the design depicted, that of the bow and arrow, showing as clear and dainty as when first traced. In another chamber in this s

y could be had almost for the asking, but with their revival in favor, their worth has increased. They depict an era that is associated wi