A German Baroque velvet and silk embroidered state tester bed first half 18th century

the canopied tester covered in red silk velvet and topped by finials and tassels, the shaped headboard covered with floral silk embroidery in cream ground with roundels with oriental style birds, footboard covered with velvet, one hanging with the embroidered Spee monogram, the posts with blue silk and red velvet hangings

The von Spee family
Thence by descent

The wooden structure of this bed retains its original poles and headboard and appears to have had its side rails and foot board later replaced. The fabric covered canopy has, most likely, its original wooden frame. The textile elements consist of : 1) The claret coloured velvet canopy, applied with exuberant silk and metal-thread passmenterie (as visible in the photograph); The velvet is pieced and joined sections, with some wear, and the passmenterie has sections which are loose and elements missing and detached; 2) There are four bed-curtains (Qty 4), comprising of the two front panels (visible in the photograph), which are made up of alternating vertical strips of velvet with green silk (distressed, as visible in the photograph), and the inner edges applied with delicate pom-pom fringing (some losses), the silk lining is missing in sections; and the two larger side panels, which are made up of alternating vertical strips of velvet with tuquoise floral brocade, and extend across the whole length of the bed when closed. They are lined with pale beige silk, which is very distressed; 3) The headboard, with floral motifs and cranes in roundels,worked in embroidered polychrome silk, applique floral motifs (backed with paper) and metal-thread headboard, edged with passmenterie, with some losses and discolouration. Very decorative; 4) The inner-canopy, with stepped interior outer edge and fitted corner spandrels, covered with pleated cream silk and edged with delicate passmenterie, the central panel of cream silk worked with embroidered floral motifs and four roundels with birds (in the manner of the headboard), with a central motif of four `c'-scrolls creating a cartouche, worked in burgundy coloured velvet pom-pom passmenterie and centred with delicate floral embroidery and roundel with bird, in the manner of the headboard. Overall good condition. Some losses to the silk on the outer edges of the frame; 5) Together with a hanging panel for behind the headboard (approximately 164cm. high, 173cm. wide), worked in polychrome silks against a cream ground, depicting vertical stems of floral motifs, centred by a letter 'S' with two stars, with a floral wreath above; distressed edges to the silk, split and with losses, and with three marked long vertical water marks - which alters the overall appearance; 6) The footboard, covered with alternating vertical strips of velvet with green silk strip on the centre (distressed). The posts covered with cream silk, which is lacking or distressed in areas. For extra photographs please contact the furniture department.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Made for the Spee family, this exquisite bed would have been a striking view at Schloss Heltorf, the family seat near Dusseldorf. Richly embroidered in silk on a white ground, it emulates the Chinese silk fabrics arriving from the India trade, and even replicating some of its motifs, like the bird medallion seen in the middle of the headboard and throughout. The hangings bearing the Spee monogram and the contrast between the extremely expensive red velvet and the white silk would give Heltorf’s visitors a firm idea of the family's prestige and social standing in the complex German aristocratic system.