Louis XVI Period Four-poster Bed Step Stool - Silk Damask With Silver Thread, 18th Century

A rare four-poster bed stool, the front rail shaped like a gendarme's hat, the front straight to follow the bed's crossbar. It rests on four fluted legs, the connecting blocks in a rosette pattern. Upholstered in horsehair on webbing, it is covered in its original silk, a rich polychrome floral damask with silver thread. Parisian work from the Louis XVI period, circa 1780. 18th-century four-poster beds, in the Polonaise style, pulpit style, and other forms, were designed to insulate the sleeper from the cold, not only through their curtains but also by being elevated. This very rare seat is the footstool that allowed the elegant lady to get in and out of bed. The silk upholstery covering it most likely matches that of the bed's canopy. A beautiful and very rare collector's item. We present it "as is," but can have it reupholstered upon request by our upholsterer for a small additional charge. Please contact us. Good overall condition, some wear to the silk, but it is not torn. The padding is slightly sagging. It remains very presentable and authentic as is. Length 57.5 cm, Depth 32.5 cm, Seat Height 37 cm