A fine and rare George III polychrome-japanned and mahogany domed tester bedstead circa 1783

the domed top within a cornice with arched sides lined with japanned paper centered by oval panels en grisaille depicting musical trophies within beaded borders and surmounted by ribbon-tied bows, flanked by scrolling vines and leaves, the concave molding painted with an anthemion border, the corners mounted with urn finials decorated with swags, beads and long leaves, the reeded front columnar posts carved with long leaf-carved urns continuing to swag- and long leaf-carved tapering posts and ending in square legs.  Restorations.

Hedingham Castle, Essex, almost certainly made for Elizabeth Ashhurst, Hedingham heiress, who married Lewes Majendie in 1783

Country Life, September 18, 1920, pp. 378-379, fig. 12, 'shown with its original velvet festoon tester and side curtains'

Macquoid and Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, 1986, rev. ed., vol. I, p. 67, fig. 59

Very good restored condition; painting refreshed throughout; bowing to panels of tester and now with reinforcements to backs; age cracks and paint loss especially to right side of tester; urn finials to corners appear to be original as does the interior of the tester, now re-lined with modern fabric; front posts refinished and now with age cracks to bottoms; bed rails appear to be original; moldings to front posts loose and with cracks; back posts later.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present bed relates most closely to a design by A. Hepplewhite in The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, 1788, pl. 101, 'with a square dome-top.  The inner part in the same manner.  The cornice will look well japanned or gilt.'  The cornice is similarly mounted at the corners with urns, the fluted columns continuing to urns carved with long leaves above tapering circular posts carved with swagged draperies and ending in block legs. The cornice of the present bed is lined with painted or 'japanned' paper.  Thomas Sheraton, in The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing-Book and Accompaniment to the Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing-Book, 1793-1794, illustrated 'a variety of ornaments useful for learners to copy from, but particularly adapted to the cabinet and chair branches' with instructions for 'japanning' or painting and a design for an 'Ornament for a Tablet,' depicting the figure of the goddess Diana in an oval reserve flanked by scrolling foliage, similar to the painted musical trophy in an oval reserve and scrolls on the cornice of the present bed.  The decoration also shares affinities with M. A. Pergolesi's Designs for Various Ornaments, 1777-1801.

Cf. a bed with a similar tester, sold, Sotheby's London, November 12, 1982, lot 54.