Bedstead - Bedstead

Half tester mahogany bed. Tester is shaped and curved on the front and sides with a quarter round molding at the top of the cornice and an applied bead and disc string molding under a small, undecorated frieze. Two carved, scrolled brackets are attached to the half tester and the bed posts - one on each side. The headboard has a central panel likely made of tulip poplar veneered with bookmatched figured mahogany. The central surface is framed by an applied and shaped strip of molding with applied outer corners. The top of the headboard includes another field of veneered mahogany with applied carving on the top edge. In the center is a large shell with leaves and fruit beneath. Scrolls and foliate carving extends out along the top of the headboard. All four bedposts are veneered in mahogany and shaped with an octagonal design of alternating concave facets and convex facets. The posts on either side of the footboard include a carved solid mahogany finial with one lower band of bead-like carvings, a central vase-shaped turning, and an upper lobed cap with small finial. The shaped side rails slope down from each end toward the center and include carved and applied scrolls and leaves at the top of each end. On the center of each side rail is an applied button-like carving with small scrolls surrounding. The footboard also includes applied carving, with scrolls on the ends like the side rails, but a more elaborate central design with a small cornice and additional leaves above the button-like motif. The mattress supports are pine and are original except for one that is replaced and one that is missing.