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拍品專文
THE DESIGN
The bed is modelled on designs by George Hepplewhite (d.1786) published posthumously in the 3rd edition of his Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide (1794), in particular plates 61 and 58 (R. Edwards, Hepplewhite Furniture Designs, London, 1947), a pattern which undoubtedly influenced both Thomas Sheraton's designs for beds in his Cabinet Directory (1803), and Gillows patterns in their Estimate Sketch Book (S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, vol. I, p. 343, plate 399). It is also closely modelled on a bed at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, the central plaque similarly depicting a musical trophy (illustrated in R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, vol.I, London, 1954, p. 66, fig. 58).
ROBERT HENRY BENSON
Robert Henry Benson (d. 1929), senior partner of Robert Benson & Co. Ltd., merchant bankers, was a trustee of the National Gallery from 1912, trustee of the Tate Gallery, member of the Council of the Victoria & Albert Museum and 'one of the pillars' of the Burlington Fine Arts Club (C. Sebag-Montefiore, 'R.H. Benson as a Collector' in J. Wake, Kleinwort Benson: the history of two families in banking, Oxford, 1997, p. 483). He was a recognised connoisseur and prolific and discerning collector of important Italian Renaissance paintings, his collection on which sold en bloc in 1927 to the New York dealer, Joseph Duveen for $4 million.
Benson's collection, also including early Chinese porcelain, was displayed in his several homes, Walpole House on Chiswick Mall, 16 South Street, Park Lane and Buckhurst Park, Withyham, Sussex. The latter, a 16th century house with extensive 1830s neo-Gothic renovations by Humphrey Repton was part of the Sackville estates. In 1826 it passed to Lady Elizabeth Sackville and her husband, George Sackville-West, 5th Earl De La Warr (d. 1869) whose descendents still own the house today. In the early 20th century it was leased by Benson for 24 years from Herbrand Sackville, 9th Earl De La Warr (d. 1976). During his tenancy Benson considerably improved the house; in 1902 he engaged Sir Edward Lutyens to design additions to the house and a new formal garden. It is likelythat the London decorators Morant & Co were engaged to some extent at this time since they evidently supplied the bed (evidenced by their labels).
Although the present four-post bed is not illustrated in a 1912 Country Life profile on the house, the articles mention there were 'Fine Chippendale and Sheraton four-post bedsteads to be found in the bedrooms' ('Buckhurst Park - II. Sussex, the residence of Mr. R.H. Benson', Country Life, 18 May 1912, p. 729).
In 1929, the present bed was sold 'The Whole of the "Buckhurst" Collection of the late Robert H. Benson, Esq. comprising Fine Old English Furniture, Monday July 1st, 1929 and five following days, lot 126 (Curtis & Henson):
'The Chinese Bedroom
Lot 126
AN OLD GEORGIAN MAHOGANY POSTER BEDSTEAD with wood canopy over, painted husks and arabesque foliage, panels of musical trophies, pillars reeded and carved, the head and base in figured pink silk damask, domed interior and back lined cream silk with brass rails and pair of pink silk damask curtains with band holders (6-ft. wide), a Heal's box spring mattress, a heavy wool mattress in check, feather bolster and 2 pillows'
The bed is modelled on designs by George Hepplewhite (d.1786) published posthumously in the 3rd edition of his Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide (1794), in particular plates 61 and 58 (R. Edwards, Hepplewhite Furniture Designs, London, 1947), a pattern which undoubtedly influenced both Thomas Sheraton's designs for beds in his Cabinet Directory (1803), and Gillows patterns in their Estimate Sketch Book (S. Stuart, Gillows of Lancaster and London 1730-1840, vol. I, p. 343, plate 399). It is also closely modelled on a bed at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, the central plaque similarly depicting a musical trophy (illustrated in R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, vol.I, London, 1954, p. 66, fig. 58).
ROBERT HENRY BENSON
Robert Henry Benson (d. 1929), senior partner of Robert Benson & Co. Ltd., merchant bankers, was a trustee of the National Gallery from 1912, trustee of the Tate Gallery, member of the Council of the Victoria & Albert Museum and 'one of the pillars' of the Burlington Fine Arts Club (C. Sebag-Montefiore, 'R.H. Benson as a Collector' in J. Wake, Kleinwort Benson: the history of two families in banking, Oxford, 1997, p. 483). He was a recognised connoisseur and prolific and discerning collector of important Italian Renaissance paintings, his collection on which sold en bloc in 1927 to the New York dealer, Joseph Duveen for $4 million.
Benson's collection, also including early Chinese porcelain, was displayed in his several homes, Walpole House on Chiswick Mall, 16 South Street, Park Lane and Buckhurst Park, Withyham, Sussex. The latter, a 16th century house with extensive 1830s neo-Gothic renovations by Humphrey Repton was part of the Sackville estates. In 1826 it passed to Lady Elizabeth Sackville and her husband, George Sackville-West, 5th Earl De La Warr (d. 1869) whose descendents still own the house today. In the early 20th century it was leased by Benson for 24 years from Herbrand Sackville, 9th Earl De La Warr (d. 1976). During his tenancy Benson considerably improved the house; in 1902 he engaged Sir Edward Lutyens to design additions to the house and a new formal garden. It is likelythat the London decorators Morant & Co were engaged to some extent at this time since they evidently supplied the bed (evidenced by their labels).
Although the present four-post bed is not illustrated in a 1912 Country Life profile on the house, the articles mention there were 'Fine Chippendale and Sheraton four-post bedsteads to be found in the bedrooms' ('Buckhurst Park - II. Sussex, the residence of Mr. R.H. Benson', Country Life, 18 May 1912, p. 729).
In 1929, the present bed was sold 'The Whole of the "Buckhurst" Collection of the late Robert H. Benson, Esq. comprising Fine Old English Furniture, Monday July 1st, 1929 and five following days, lot 126 (Curtis & Henson):
'The Chinese Bedroom
Lot 126
AN OLD GEORGIAN MAHOGANY POSTER BEDSTEAD with wood canopy over, painted husks and arabesque foliage, panels of musical trophies, pillars reeded and carved, the head and base in figured pink silk damask, domed interior and back lined cream silk with brass rails and pair of pink silk damask curtains with band holders (6-ft. wide), a Heal's box spring mattress, a heavy wool mattress in check, feather bolster and 2 pillows'