September, 1913 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



3 2 . 



The first ones used in this coun- 

 try, must have been brought over 

 by the settlers, for it never would 

 have been possible at that period to 

 have found feathers enough on 

 domestic chickens and geese to fill 

 the ticks. 



In the early records of Salem, we 

 read that in 1647 a straw bed was 

 used; in 1673 a canvas one filled 

 with cat-tails and also a single "silk 

 grass" bed, while in 1654 a hair bed, 

 probably one of the earliest of its 

 kind, was a quick follower of the first. 



The eighteenth century was a 

 period when mahogany, maple, cherry or Virginia walnut 

 were used. The posts were much more slender than those 

 of the Empire period. The ball and claw foot were ex- 

 tensively used in 1740 



One of the finest specimens of 

 Hepplewhite make probably the 

 very best in New England, is found 

 in the Guerdon-Howe house at 

 Haverhill, Mass., better known as 

 the Saltonstall house. It is made 

 entirely of brass, each post being 

 surmounted by a ball and eagle, 

 simple in make, its delicate, grace- 

 ful lines are the admiration of every 

 connoisseur in house furnishings. 

 This particular bedstead is historic 

 from the fact that it belonged 

 •to Nathaniel Saltonstall, the first 

 medical practitioner in Haverhill, 



English four-poster 1810-1820 



and a descendent of Sir Richard Saltonstall, of England. 

 It has been in the family ever since the first settler. 



Quite in contrast to this one, are several of the Empire 

 period, one of which is found in the Kittredge house at 

 North Andover, Mass. The distinguishing points about 



What has been said with reference to definite facts con- 

 cerning bedsteads before 1700, might be true of those made this bed following those of that period, are that the posts 

 a little later. They continued plain; one of the best known are larger and are much more heavily carved, some of them 

 being found at Mount Vernon, the one in which Washing- showing pineapple design. This bed is one of many that 

 ton died. This had perfectly plain turned posts valued have been in the family ever since the house was built, early 

 at less than a pound, and as he was a man of ample means, in the seventeenth century. The drapings are of white 

 we feel sure that his furniture must have been good. dimity, edged with narrow hand-made ball fringe. 



The three great cabinet makers, Chippendale, Sheraton, Another one of the same period showing pineapples, is 



and Heppelwhite, have each left to us designs in four- 

 posters. The Chippendale beds are tall and slender, show- 

 ing fluted columns with garlands of flowers or ribbons en- 

 twining the raised carving of the posts. Some of them 

 came to this country in the early days, but they are very 

 difficult to find and also to entice from where discovered. 



in Major Craft's house at Brookline, Mass.; this shows 

 headboards. Some of these are handsomely carved with 

 draperies, fruit, flowers and occasionally, a spread eagle. 



Another four-poster which marks the same period, lack- 

 ing the somewhat attractive feature of a headboard, is now 

 at the home of Mrs. Charles E. Lord, at Newton, Mass. 



The carving on the posts of the old-time four-posters was most elaborate 



