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Lot Essay
LORD CURZON, PERCY MACQUOID AND KEDLESTON HALL
This magnificent carved giltwood and painted bed was acquired by George Nathaniel, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston (d. 1925) at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire.
Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India between 1899 and 1905 and Foreign Secretary (1919 - 24), inherited the Kedleston estate in 1916. Passionately interested in architecture and period interiors and renowned for his extravagant taste, he determined to create 'authentic' rooms with appropriate antique furniture for the houses he owned or leased; Kedleston; Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire; 1 Carlton House Terrace, London; Hackwood Park, Hampshire; and Montacute, Somerset. He also improved the ruined Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. Lord D'Abernon wrote that Curzon was 'born and died in the faith of an aristocrat of the English 18th Century' (J. Musson, 'Houses for a Superior Person', Country Life, 1 January 1998, p. 38). In reality, however, his interests were firmly rooted in 19th century antiquarianism in his belief 'if you renovate a beautiful house, it does not matter that it will pass from your family. You are preserving a lovely thing for the nation' (ibid., p. 39).
Kedleston was an important project for Lord Curzon, and during the period of significant refurbishment to 1925 some £84,000 was spent. In this enterprise, as correspondence from 1914 shows, he was assisted by the influential connoisseur and furniture historian, Percy Macquoid (d. 1925). Macquoid who described himself as 'decorative artist, professional decorator and advisor to clients who are purchasing furniture', was consulted upon period interiors, designed, and sourced furniture from London-based firms such as White, Allom & Co., with curtains and upholstery fabrics from Morant & Co. (later Lenygon & Morant). Macquoid's early commissions included the state rooms at Dunham Massey for the 9th Earl of Stamford (from 1904-1906) and in 1925 an Adam Room for Lord Leverhulme at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight (A. Harrison Moore, Fraud, Fakery and False Business: Rethinking the Shrager versus Dighton 'Old Furniture Case', London and New York, 2011, p. 61).
THE HISTORY OF THE BED
From surviving correspondence between Macquoid and Lord Curzon it is evident that eighteenth century four poster bedsteads were few and far between at the beginning of the 20th century at Kedleston. Hence Lord Curzon was compelled to purchase beds as part of the refurbishment. The present bed is not recorded in the 1916 Heirloom list compiled by Christie's following the death of Alfred Nathaniel Holden Curzon, 4th Baron Scarsdale (d. 1916), but is very probably the bedstead purchased in 1919 (Kedleston Archives, KHMR/L2-31/18-19). The bed is subsequently referred to in July 1919 when W.A. Pearman, cabinet-maker and joiner, issued an invoice for 29.13.8 for its restoration:
'Repairing an antique carved green and gilt 4 post bedstead; refitting the posts, nails and bolts to make the posts stand more upright; repairing posts and tester frame and carved cornice and better fitting cornice at angles and making good the carving on some; making, carving and fitting new double scrolls to each post under cornice and gilding scrolls. Taking off all carving on head and foot panels; repairing same and making good missing pieces of carving in many places; refixing, carving and making good the gilding where required; making a new carved and gilt moulding for top of portrail; delivering bedstead to Mr Chamberlain [the upholsterer]' (KHMR/L2-28/6).
An accompanying letter dated 29 August 1919 with this invoice is annotated by Lord Curzon at the top, 'Kedleston Bed' (KHMR/L2-28/7).
The bed is next mentioned in September 1919 in a note on its condition by Macquoid (KHMR/L2-28/8) who also provided an undated drawing giving dimensions and instructions for 'damask here [indicating the pediment (or cornice)] with head & foot all round bed 13 yds' and 'Head cloth box pleated 19 yds' (KHMR/L2-28/15). It was obviously customary for both agent and client to make such sketches; on 17 December 1920, Macquoid requested from Lord Curzon one of his 'slight but very explicit' sketches of another bed for which he required bed hangings (KHMR/L2-10/26). Macquoid appears to have continued the refurbishment of the present bed in 1920 when it is mentioned in connection with the 'North Bedroom' (or 'Waterloo Room') at Kedleston (KHMR/L2-10/38), indeed most of the beds acquired for Kedleston in the early 20th century appear to be for the semi-state bedrooms on the top floor of the central block of the mansion.
The bed was later described in a supplement to Christie's 1925 Heirloom list, drawn up by Puttick & Simpson in May 1925 (issued December 1928), as 'North Bedroom: An Adam 4 poster bedstead, finely carved and gilt and painted green value £100' (KHMR/Inventories/uncatalogued). A handwritten note by Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale (d. 2000), filed with the Hochschild Collection sale catalogue, records that the bed was acquired by 'Uncle George' (Lord Curzon) in 1917. However the 1917 acquisition is most likely the 'Crimson bed', which Macquoid designed and illustrated in a watercolour annotated 'A late Chippendale Bed for Lord Curzon', signed and dated 1917, now at the Brighton & Hove Museum (D. Beevers, 'Lord Curzon's bed', Country Life, 5 February 1998, p. 64). In 1935, this bed was photographed at Hackwood Park, Hampshire, a property leased by Lord Curzon from 1905 until 1935 when William Ewert Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose, acquired the property and some of the contents (the remaining contents were sold Christie's house sale, 20-22 April 1998).
The present bed is listed in a 1974 'Report on the inspection made under supervision of Mr. W.R. Lowry Manager of the National Westminster Bank Limited, Iron Gate, Derby 7th and 8th of May 1974 of articles and works of art which are considered to rank as heirlooms under the will of the late Most Honourable The Marquess Curzon of Kedleston K.G' as 'An Adam four-poster bedstead - originally in North Bedroom'. The report continues, 'These bedsteads have been removed from Kedleston Hall, and we understand that they are at present in London for renovation. These have since been sold during 1973 [sic] by permission of the court (Derbyshire County Record Office, D3295/1/19/1).
THE DESIGN
Four poster bedsteads with sumptuous silk damask bed hangings were among the most treasured and expensive furnishings in an 18th Century mansion, such as the the magnificent state bed by James Gravenor (fl. 1741-68) at Kedleston with bed-posts carved from cedar of Lebanon to resemble palm trees, ostrich feathers and displaying the family's baronial coronet. Their declining numbers are accounted for in part by the fragility of their 18th century hangings, and by the introduction in the 19th century of more 'hygienic' brass and iron alternatives.
The present bed is possibly modeled on a design by Robert Adam (d. 1792) for the Hon. Frederick Thynne's house in Curzon Street, which similarly features a classical urn mounted on the pediment. The Thynne bed has a domed top, hence the 20th century alteration to the canopy of the Curzon bed, so-described in the 1925 supplement (E. Harris, The Furniture of Robert Adam, London, 1963, no. 126; KHMR/Inventories/uncatalogued). The bed also relates to a design in Thomas Chippendale's Director (1762), pl. XXXIX, and a japanned and gilt bedstead with urns, acanthus foliage scrolled cornice, and fluted posts, circa 1769-70, supplied by Chippendale (d. 1779) for Harewood House, Yorkshire (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, vol. II, London, 1978, p. 30, fig. 47). The father and son partnership of William (d. 1763) and John Linnell (d. 1796) was also designing state beds; a design with similar acanthus scrolls at the corners of the pediment is in the Prints & Drawings Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (E. 150 1929).
Although the present bed did not enter Lord Curzon's collection until the early 20th century, his ancestor Nathaniel Curzon Esq., later 1st Baron Scarsdale (d. 1804), received an itemised invoice from John West in 1757 (the year before he inherited Kedleston) relating to a London property. On 14 December 1757, West specified 'two four post bedsteads & cheque furnitures; 2 beds, bolsters, & pillows of good season'd feathers' for £9 (KHMR/L2-30/4).
Curzon employed the Linnell partnership from 1759-96; regular payments recorded in the Kedleston ledgers total the significant amount of £2,922. In 1758, William Linnell fixed up a 'doom bed' and supplied a four-post bed with bed furniture and linen for £9.10.0, and a four-post bedstead with green 'cheny' furniture which was returned (KHMR/L2-30 5). In 1769, John Linnell supplied a mahogany press bedstead and printed cotton furniture with bedding, 'compleat like one made before', costing £37.12.6 (KHMR/L2-30/6). A further bill from John Linnell from 1779 mentions taking down and moving four-post beds around the top floor of a house (KHMR/L2-30/7). Two years later, he charged for the temporary use of four-post beds (KHMR/L2-30/8).
We would like to thank Dr. Danielle Westerhof for her assistance in the compilation of this note.
This magnificent carved giltwood and painted bed was acquired by George Nathaniel, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston (d. 1925) at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire.
Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India between 1899 and 1905 and Foreign Secretary (1919 - 24), inherited the Kedleston estate in 1916. Passionately interested in architecture and period interiors and renowned for his extravagant taste, he determined to create 'authentic' rooms with appropriate antique furniture for the houses he owned or leased; Kedleston; Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire; 1 Carlton House Terrace, London; Hackwood Park, Hampshire; and Montacute, Somerset. He also improved the ruined Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. Lord D'Abernon wrote that Curzon was 'born and died in the faith of an aristocrat of the English 18th Century' (J. Musson, 'Houses for a Superior Person', Country Life, 1 January 1998, p. 38). In reality, however, his interests were firmly rooted in 19th century antiquarianism in his belief 'if you renovate a beautiful house, it does not matter that it will pass from your family. You are preserving a lovely thing for the nation' (ibid., p. 39).
Kedleston was an important project for Lord Curzon, and during the period of significant refurbishment to 1925 some £84,000 was spent. In this enterprise, as correspondence from 1914 shows, he was assisted by the influential connoisseur and furniture historian, Percy Macquoid (d. 1925). Macquoid who described himself as 'decorative artist, professional decorator and advisor to clients who are purchasing furniture', was consulted upon period interiors, designed, and sourced furniture from London-based firms such as White, Allom & Co., with curtains and upholstery fabrics from Morant & Co. (later Lenygon & Morant). Macquoid's early commissions included the state rooms at Dunham Massey for the 9th Earl of Stamford (from 1904-1906) and in 1925 an Adam Room for Lord Leverhulme at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight (A. Harrison Moore, Fraud, Fakery and False Business: Rethinking the Shrager versus Dighton 'Old Furniture Case', London and New York, 2011, p. 61).
THE HISTORY OF THE BED
From surviving correspondence between Macquoid and Lord Curzon it is evident that eighteenth century four poster bedsteads were few and far between at the beginning of the 20th century at Kedleston. Hence Lord Curzon was compelled to purchase beds as part of the refurbishment. The present bed is not recorded in the 1916 Heirloom list compiled by Christie's following the death of Alfred Nathaniel Holden Curzon, 4th Baron Scarsdale (d. 1916), but is very probably the bedstead purchased in 1919 (Kedleston Archives, KHMR/L2-31/18-19). The bed is subsequently referred to in July 1919 when W.A. Pearman, cabinet-maker and joiner, issued an invoice for 29.13.8 for its restoration:
'Repairing an antique carved green and gilt 4 post bedstead; refitting the posts, nails and bolts to make the posts stand more upright; repairing posts and tester frame and carved cornice and better fitting cornice at angles and making good the carving on some; making, carving and fitting new double scrolls to each post under cornice and gilding scrolls. Taking off all carving on head and foot panels; repairing same and making good missing pieces of carving in many places; refixing, carving and making good the gilding where required; making a new carved and gilt moulding for top of portrail; delivering bedstead to Mr Chamberlain [the upholsterer]' (KHMR/L2-28/6).
An accompanying letter dated 29 August 1919 with this invoice is annotated by Lord Curzon at the top, 'Kedleston Bed' (KHMR/L2-28/7).
The bed is next mentioned in September 1919 in a note on its condition by Macquoid (KHMR/L2-28/8) who also provided an undated drawing giving dimensions and instructions for 'damask here [indicating the pediment (or cornice)] with head & foot all round bed 13 yds' and 'Head cloth box pleated 19 yds' (KHMR/L2-28/15). It was obviously customary for both agent and client to make such sketches; on 17 December 1920, Macquoid requested from Lord Curzon one of his 'slight but very explicit' sketches of another bed for which he required bed hangings (KHMR/L2-10/26). Macquoid appears to have continued the refurbishment of the present bed in 1920 when it is mentioned in connection with the 'North Bedroom' (or 'Waterloo Room') at Kedleston (KHMR/L2-10/38), indeed most of the beds acquired for Kedleston in the early 20th century appear to be for the semi-state bedrooms on the top floor of the central block of the mansion.
The bed was later described in a supplement to Christie's 1925 Heirloom list, drawn up by Puttick & Simpson in May 1925 (issued December 1928), as 'North Bedroom: An Adam 4 poster bedstead, finely carved and gilt and painted green value £100' (KHMR/Inventories/uncatalogued). A handwritten note by Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale (d. 2000), filed with the Hochschild Collection sale catalogue, records that the bed was acquired by 'Uncle George' (Lord Curzon) in 1917. However the 1917 acquisition is most likely the 'Crimson bed', which Macquoid designed and illustrated in a watercolour annotated 'A late Chippendale Bed for Lord Curzon', signed and dated 1917, now at the Brighton & Hove Museum (D. Beevers, 'Lord Curzon's bed', Country Life, 5 February 1998, p. 64). In 1935, this bed was photographed at Hackwood Park, Hampshire, a property leased by Lord Curzon from 1905 until 1935 when William Ewert Berry, 1st Viscount Camrose, acquired the property and some of the contents (the remaining contents were sold Christie's house sale, 20-22 April 1998).
The present bed is listed in a 1974 'Report on the inspection made under supervision of Mr. W.R. Lowry Manager of the National Westminster Bank Limited, Iron Gate, Derby 7th and 8th of May 1974 of articles and works of art which are considered to rank as heirlooms under the will of the late Most Honourable The Marquess Curzon of Kedleston K.G' as 'An Adam four-poster bedstead - originally in North Bedroom'. The report continues, 'These bedsteads have been removed from Kedleston Hall, and we understand that they are at present in London for renovation. These have since been sold during 1973 [sic] by permission of the court (Derbyshire County Record Office, D3295/1/19/1).
THE DESIGN
Four poster bedsteads with sumptuous silk damask bed hangings were among the most treasured and expensive furnishings in an 18th Century mansion, such as the the magnificent state bed by James Gravenor (fl. 1741-68) at Kedleston with bed-posts carved from cedar of Lebanon to resemble palm trees, ostrich feathers and displaying the family's baronial coronet. Their declining numbers are accounted for in part by the fragility of their 18th century hangings, and by the introduction in the 19th century of more 'hygienic' brass and iron alternatives.
The present bed is possibly modeled on a design by Robert Adam (d. 1792) for the Hon. Frederick Thynne's house in Curzon Street, which similarly features a classical urn mounted on the pediment. The Thynne bed has a domed top, hence the 20th century alteration to the canopy of the Curzon bed, so-described in the 1925 supplement (E. Harris, The Furniture of Robert Adam, London, 1963, no. 126; KHMR/Inventories/uncatalogued). The bed also relates to a design in Thomas Chippendale's Director (1762), pl. XXXIX, and a japanned and gilt bedstead with urns, acanthus foliage scrolled cornice, and fluted posts, circa 1769-70, supplied by Chippendale (d. 1779) for Harewood House, Yorkshire (C. Gilbert, The Life and Work of Thomas Chippendale, vol. II, London, 1978, p. 30, fig. 47). The father and son partnership of William (d. 1763) and John Linnell (d. 1796) was also designing state beds; a design with similar acanthus scrolls at the corners of the pediment is in the Prints & Drawings Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (E. 150 1929).
Although the present bed did not enter Lord Curzon's collection until the early 20th century, his ancestor Nathaniel Curzon Esq., later 1st Baron Scarsdale (d. 1804), received an itemised invoice from John West in 1757 (the year before he inherited Kedleston) relating to a London property. On 14 December 1757, West specified 'two four post bedsteads & cheque furnitures; 2 beds, bolsters, & pillows of good season'd feathers' for £9 (KHMR/L2-30/4).
Curzon employed the Linnell partnership from 1759-96; regular payments recorded in the Kedleston ledgers total the significant amount of £2,922. In 1758, William Linnell fixed up a 'doom bed' and supplied a four-post bed with bed furniture and linen for £9.10.0, and a four-post bedstead with green 'cheny' furniture which was returned (KHMR/L2-30 5). In 1769, John Linnell supplied a mahogany press bedstead and printed cotton furniture with bedding, 'compleat like one made before', costing £37.12.6 (KHMR/L2-30/6). A further bill from John Linnell from 1779 mentions taking down and moving four-post beds around the top floor of a house (KHMR/L2-30/7). Two years later, he charged for the temporary use of four-post beds (KHMR/L2-30/8).
We would like to thank Dr. Danielle Westerhof for her assistance in the compilation of this note.