Four Poster Portable Bed

George Woodberry of the 18th Hussars wrote in his diary, whilst camped at Vila de Ala during the Peninsula war, 'the enjoyment after a long & fatiguing march through a burning sun to recline on a portable bed in your tent, under a fine grown shady oak tree; how beautiful the prospect'. Woodberry perhaps best summed up in 1813 the reason why officers thought nothing of taking such a large piece of furniture - the comfort it would bring at the end of a hard day.

Of course it could not be used in all situations but when it was, it brought great relief. This mahogany four poster campaign bed bears all the hallmarks of Catherine Street, and Thomas Butler in particular. The construction is typical of other Butler beds we have seen but the extra detail to the carving of the front posts far surpasses most. The folding frame is mahogany with the front legs and posts mahogany. The back legs and posts are stained beech. They would be mostly unseen and so there was no need to use expensive timber. The rails that unite the tops of the posts and support the bed hangings, again are unseen and so made of pine. The frame has brass eyelets to take the rope that originally would have supported the mattress but we have had a box and mattress made for the bed. The size is the equivalent of a modern double. Circa 1810.