American Late Victorian Cottage-Style Doll Rope Bed, c. 1890–1910 *Free Shipping

American Late Victorian Cottage-Style Doll Rope Bed, c. 1890–1910 *Free Shipping

This lovely antique cottage-style rope bed dates from c. 1890–1910 and comes from a discerning Virginia doll collector and dealer’s estate. It appears entirely handmade and retains its original-style rope foundation along with a hand-sewn quilt, mattress, and pillow made from period ticking.

The bed was originally pieced together largely without nails, and its handmade construction is especially evident around the headboard and footboard, where the shaping is slightly uneven upon very close examination.

Miniature beds of this type often served as models or salesman’s samples for full-size furniture, allowing customers to examine a design without the need for a large showroom. They were also used as children’s doll beds, often with bedding sewn especially for them.

The deep, cased mattress is made from striped period ticking, stuffed with natural straw, and tufted by hand. The pillow is made from antique blue-and-white striped ticking with clearly visible hand stitching and appears to be stuffed with down. The quilt is entirely hand-sewn and hand-quilted in a particularly attractive combination of antique blue, cream, and printed fabrics.

Together, the bed and linens make a wonderful display for small china or bisque dolls. Its relatively compact size also allows it to be displayed on a deep bookcase, display case, or tabletop.

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Condition

This dear little bed with original linens is as found; the set is absolutely charming.

I did notice a distinct mothball odor after the bed and textiles had been enclosed in a plastic storage tub. When the tub is left open and the pieces are allowed to air, I do not detect the odor. I have also had these pieces out in my photography studio for a few weeks and again, do not notice the odor. Because sensitivity to mothball odors varies, however, I want prospective buyers to be aware that some residual odor may remain, particularly after enclosed storage. There are natural ways to reduce and sometimes remove the odors from textiles if the new owner is so inclined to pursue this.

The straw filling in the mattress is clean and stable and is not turning to dust or shedding.

The bed is slightly wobbly at the joints of the headboard and footboard. A very small amount of appropriate wood glue could likely stabilize these areas, although I have left the bed exactly as found. The original ropes remain clean and sturdy. There are minor scratches and signs of use consistent with age.

I believe the wood may be maple, although I cannot identify the species with certainty. There is one tiny old screw at the side of the headboard, apparently added around the turn of the twentieth century in an earlier attempt to stabilize the joint.

The quilt has two areas of wear, shown in the photographs, and is slightly toned with age. Otherwise, it remains in very good antique condition. The colors are especially lovely and retain the unmistakable character and charm of old fabrics.

The mattress is made from light-brown striped ticking, stuffed with natural dried straw, and hand tufted.

The pillow is made from antique blue-and-white striped ticking with visible hand stitching and appears to be filled with down. I see no evidence of insect damage or stains.

Measurements

All measurements are approximate.

Bed: 16 in. long × 10 1/2 in. wide × 9 in. high
(40.6 × 26.7 × 22.9 cm)

Quilt: 17 in. wide × 18 3/8 in. long
(43.2 × 46.7 cm)

Mattress: 15 in. long × 10 in. wide
(38.1 × 25.4 cm)

Pillow: 7 in. long × 5 1/2 in. wide
(17.8 × 14.0 cm)

Provenance

From the estate of a discerning Virginia antique doll collector and dealer.