These very richly carved bed-posts are designed in the George II 'Roman' manner, with their variety of components recalling antique marble candelabra. Appropriate for a bed, their reed-enriched and fluted Corinthian pillars are wreathed by flowered ribbons and imbricated palms, and rise strigil-fluted urns that display 'Venus' shells borne by wave-scrolls. The pattern for their capitals and 'urn' pedestals featured in the Rome-trained architect, James Gibbs' Book of Architecture, 1728, which was reissued in 1739 (pl. 148).

This bed was almost certainly supplied to Henry Spencer of Dulwich, around the time of his marriage circa 1755. He was a tobacco merchant and member of the same family as the Spencers of Althorp. His large Chinese-Export dinner service, circa 1785 is advertised at the back of this catalogue.