A Gustavian bed "Lit à l'anglaise", attributed to Erik Öhrmark (master in Stockholm 1777).
Gilt and bronzed. Sculptured decor. Bed sky with plum and ribbon. Bed with quiver, torch and laurel-wreath. Brass castors. Red velvet purchased in France in the late 1940s by Karl Gustav Lagerfelt. The length of the bed 195, width 89, height 131 cm. Inner length 186, extandable depth 156 cm.
Minor wear.
Provenance
Säbylund, Närke.
The lot included in Claes de Frietzcky's own inventory 1789 "List of Furniture at Säbylund and what they cost in purchasing with transport", the Royal Library.
Literature
Slott och herresäten i Sverige, Närke, Säbylund, Allhems förlag 1969, the lot pictured page 215.
Svenska slott och herresäten i Sverige vid 1900-talets början, 1910, Närke, Säbylund, text av Eugène Lewenhaupt, the lot pictured page 29.
More information
Claes de Frietzcky's inventory at Säbylund from July 11, 1789, includes the gilded Gustavian bed. From an art historical perspective it is interesting that the bed is mentioned by Claes Frietzcky as Gustavian. It is seldom a furniture style gets its name during its time. Until 1900, the bed had a very symbolic significance for the family's survival. In the middle of the bed frame there is a carved decorative element consisting of a torch, an arrow and a laurel wreath.) The torch, with the fire of love, was an emblem of Eros and Aphrodite. The quiver contained Eros arrows and the laurel wreath symbolized durability and victory. The bed had an important symbolic meaning until 1900 when the bridal couple after the wedding was led to the bed by the guests.