Tester or Four Poster Double Bed, Early to Mid-17th Century, German Baroque, Oak

This bed has survived in exceptional condition, the main elements are all original and the only replacements are some of the mouldings which is typical as the original glue dries out sometimes over time. The fact that the original iron catches survive demonstrates that this bed has not been moved very much in its lifetime. Its known provenance which it also notable bears this out and prior to Lindisfarne Castle this bed must have been in situ in one property for a long time. Stylised tulip decoration is repeated profusely on the headboard and footboard. The tulip is a symbol of love as is the love bird which also features on the headboard cupboard doors and the inscription suggesting that this bed was a gift of love to this lady either from her parents on coming of age invoking fecundity or more likely from her future husband on their marriage.

The tester has a central, panel decorated with deep, geometric mouldings and an iron, hook for hanging a light, surrounded by six, plain panels, all faced with ogee mouldings. The back has a cupboard at the top with a central, panel crisply carved with three, floral motifs. Sliding doors carved with love birds are either side and panels carved with stylized leafy sprays headed with tulip heads at each end. Below a carved inscription 'IOHANNA GRETHA ILSABEIN BOBBENKAMPS' (Joanna Gretha Isabel Bobbenkamp). The names are all German and Bobbenkamp is a surname suggesting that the inscription is the name of the lady that this bed was made for. There is also a carved '2' on the far right edge. Stylised tulip decoration is repeated profusely on the headboard and footboard of this bed. The tulip is a symbol of love as is the love bird which also features on the headboard doors and inscription suggesting that this bed was a gift of love to this lady either from her parents on coming of age invoking fecundity or more likely from her future husband on their marriage.

The back has a central panel decorated with a deep, geometric star, and two plain panels either side faced with ogee moulding and panels carved with stylized tulip heads either side. A carved panel of stylized tulip head motifs below and three plain, moulded panels below. The ends with split barley twist turnings.

The sides have thick fretwork decoration above a deep ogee moulding and three plain, moulded panels below. The tester sides headed with a deep cornice and shaped fretwork frieze below.

The front with stylized tulip carving and three plain moulded panels. The tester is supported by barley twist turnings. There are iron hooks for hanging throughout.

Bed components • Oak tester • Full height headboard • 1/2 height footboard • 2 side rails • 2 turned posts

Condition report

• Headboard: Some replaced mouldings from different eras. Some impact bruising and wear and losses.

• Left siderail: Old splice in top rail. Two replaced pieces of moulding.

• Left cornice: Old repair to small section of moulding. Top corner moulding, part missing.

• Headboard: Old repair to break in central panel, right foot patch, splice at back of upright.

• Headboard Cornice: Top corner moulding, part missing on left, wear on right

• Right cornice:

• Right siderail: Old worm on left edge.

• Tester: Some replaced mouldings.

Measures: Maximum exterior length 191cm, 75.25in, width 170cm., 67in., height 188cm. 74in Interior length 175cm., 69in, width 145.50cm., 57½in

Provenance: By repute Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island.