Florentine Canopy Bed

A grid image. On the left there is a full image of the bed. On the right there are two images, the one on top is a further shot of the full bed, the bottom is an image of the canopy.
Florentine Bed in the Green Bedroom

Country of Origin: England
Year: ca. 1790
Materials: Wood, rope, feather, fabric, and metal 

This is the oldest bed in Eldon House and was part of Lucy Ronalds’ inheritance. Typical to older beds, this piece is high off the ground, away from the cold floors. Under the bed is a series of ropes and springs holding up the feather mattress. The phrase, “night, night, sleep tight” comes from beds like these, where the ropes would have to be tightened before getting into bed each night. The phrase refers to the process of winding the ropes.

Additionally, the bed is topped with a painted canopy in the Florentine style. The posts are heavily decorated, and the fabric gatherings in the center. Canopies originally helped keep people warm and keep light out, as the fabric on the sides could be drawn like curtains.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.