Chair Bed

Mahogany with draperies of a modern yellow damask material. The underframe of the chair pulls out and seat cushions of the chair become mattress of a bed.

c.1805

This chair bed is almost identical to a model of a chair bed shown in one of Thomas Butlers broadsheets and it is often described as a `Butler’s Patent Chair Bed`. Thomas Butler was one of the first makers of this type of chair and employed at least two other prominent cabinet chair makers, Morgan and Sanders and Thomas Oxenham. Makers of patent furniture often followed each other’s designs and with the absence of a makers stamp of plate could never achieve full praise for their work. Unfortunately in this case, Butlers former employees Morgan and Sanders set up their business in the shop next door to Butler, making them bitter rivals.   

The basic form of mahogany beds remained unchanged for over 200 years from its original designs in the 18ths century. The basic form had two mahogany posts at the front and the cornice sometimes showed wood, sometimes did not. However, the beds altered to reflect the influence of each period. Many beds such as this one were made in the Regency period and chair beds that could be taken apart were often use to accommodate late visitors or be placed in the spare room. While this chair bed changed into a settee, others could be made to look like large pieces of furniture.    

Chairs