A FRENCH EMPIRE GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED MAHOGANY LIT EN BATEAU, CIRCA 1810, IN THE MANNER OF JACOB FRÈRES

Sotheby's, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire, 17th-19th May 2005, lot 217

Rufford 1910, p.25, in the Second Bedroom;

An Inventory of the mansion and contents, Easton Neston House, Towcester, Northamptonshire, Hesketh Family Archive, 1923, p.12, item 9, £350, as an Empire mahogany bed `very fine specimen', in the Boudoir;

Archibald Phillips, 16 Conduit Street, London W1, Inventory and Valuation of the Household Furniture, ornamental effects, Pictures and other items at Easton Neston House, Towcester, Northants, February 1927, Hesketh Family Archive, p.17, item 12, £250, in the Boudoir;

Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Les Ebénistes du XIXe Siècle, 1795-1889, Paris, 1984, pp.277, 278 and 318

This type of boat-shaped bed known as a `lit en bateau' with its elegant proportions and superb quality gilt-bronze mounts with a medallion within a roundel flanked by stylised foliage and the boldly cast anthemions is reminiscent of the work of Jacob Frères. Although swans are normally found at the ends of the foot and headboards on beds produced by them, the acquatic theme continues on this bed with beautifully cast dolphin heads.

Beds in the Empire period were placed parallel with the wall and became an important 'architectural' feature. Various types of beds existed and one of the most popular models was known as a 'lit en bateau' which would appear to have been first made by the Jacob Frères (1797-1801) for Madame Juliet Récamier (one of the most celebrated beauties and leading socialites of her day). See Ledoux-Lebard, op. cit., p.277 for a design for a lit en bateau for Madame Récamier and pp.278 and 318 for related beds by Jacob Frères and Jacob-Desmalter respectively.