Property of a Distinguished Private Collection
AN EMPIRE GILT-BRONZE AND STEEL FOLDING LIT DE CAMP, CIRCA 1805
Lot Closed
September 9, 02:29 PM GMT
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Property of a Distinguished Private Collection
AN EMPIRE GILT-BRONZE AND STEEL FOLDING LIT DE CAMP, CIRCA 1805
with eagle-head finials at each corner, on four feet decorated with acanthus leaves and foliage, on castors, with light cream silk Damask upholstery, marked “SL2” and “Champion”
fully extended: 90cm. high, 208cm. wide, 92cm. deep; 2ft. 11½in., 6ft. 10in., 3ft.¼in.
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Ader Tajan, Paris, 28 September 1993, lot 115, sold FRF 121,741;
where acquired by the current owner.
A. Renner, Mobilier de métal de l'Ancien Régime à la Restauration, Saint-Rémy-en-l'Eau, 2009, p. 74.
From the early 19th century, lits de camp were celebrated for their ease of use, durability and practicability. Steel folding and portable lits de camp were at first destined for military campaigns and hospitals. Over time however, their functionality developed and they also started to include decorative features, such as the eagle heads on the present example.
One of the most known Empire lit de camp today was owned by Napoleon during his exile at Sainte-Hélène, now conserved in the Musée de l'Armée, Paris (inv. no. 5424 ; Ca 27). Napoleon's lit was created by the menuisier Marie-Jean Desouches (1764-1828) who is credited to have invented folding steel beds.