I’ve done numerous blogs in the past about “art display panel beds”. Many of them were actually made by a foundry/manufacturer in Chicago called the “Art Bed Co.” These particular beds had flat metal panels that served as canvases for different floral bouquet’s, pastoral scenes, or even abstract Victorian designs.
But there were a select few “portrait” panel styles that were made with the sole intention of serving as a canvas for the painting of a persons portrait. They usually were in the shape of an oval……like the one in this photo.
In the 40 years I’ve been dealing in iron beds, I’ve only ever seen one true “portrait panel ” style, with the original portrait on it. The painting itself was not that good and was of a little girl setting on a round wooden stool. Most people over the years just didn’t have an appreciation for someone else’s family portrait being on a bed they were using. So most beds with portraits intact…….were painted over.
Iron beds have always been a means in which people are able to expresive their own individual style and taste. Sometimes that expression is done through the artistic finish they had their beds done in and then others are from the unique shape and style they go for.
But any way you choose to look at it, they where a great means with which to express your taste and individualism. “Portrait panel” beds were just one more way to display ones individual taste.
I hope you’ve found this blog informative . I invite you to revisit my website
to answer any and all questions you might have about antique iron beds.
I also invite you to take a look at our company Face Book page for multiple photo albums on Custom Finishes, Canopy Conversions and a comprehensive “Before & After” King Conversions album.
