Theodore Alexander The Middleton Rice Bed 8205-065

Item Description

Product Description A finely carved mahogany and figured mahogany rice Queen's bed, the serpentine arched and molded edge headboard flanked by acanthus leaf and rice carved baluster turned posts with urn finials; the figured mahogany rails with brass rosettes to the posts. Inspired by an 18th century American original.

Collection Features The Rice bed is a distinctively American piece of furniture which first appeared during the Federal Period (1780-1820) although rice had been an important crop in the South since the late 17th century. The first documented example was made in Charleston, South Carolina and was commissioned by a wealthy plantation owner with carvings of the cereal that created his fortune. Although the form is based on English furniture, in particular designs of Thomas Chippendale, George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton, the forms were adapted to a distinctive American character and function.