Polish bed
A Polish bed (French: Lit à la polonaise; French: [pɔlɔnɛz]), alternatively known in English as a polonaise, is a type of small-canopy bed which most likely originated in Poland and became a centrepiece of 18th-century French furniture.[1] The curtain is topped with an elaborate crownlike centrepiece, which is connected to the four vertical corner poles of the bed frame (which are usually curved).[2] Unlike the four-poster bed, the canopy is much smaller than the bed.
Historically, a Polish bed was often placed on its side against the wall to serve as a daybed.[3] Nowadays, any type of curtained daybed or couch is known under this term.[citation needed] The Polish bed shares many similarities with the lit à la turque, however Turkish-styled beds contain two scrolling ends and the canopy is generally off-center, and suspended from one side only.
They were popularized in France by Polish-born queen Marie Leszczyńska, who married Louis XV of France in 1725.[4] Hence, it became a principal piece of the so-called Louis XV furniture.[4] These richly decorated rococo beds were generally designated for the wealthier upper classes and aristocracy that resided in palaces,[5] however, canopies were also popular in many common homes (the warmth of the curtains was functional). The French propagated the design as lit à la polonaise.
Polish beds dating back to the period can be found in museums, most famous being the Palace of Versailles in France. The polonaise should not be confused with the lit à la Duchesse where the canopy is only supported from one end.[6]
Gallery
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A Polish bed in one of the royal chambers at Versailles -
King's bed, Château d'Ussé -
Simpler Dutch version -
Louis XV style, replica -
Louis XVI style, replica -
Palace of the Marqués de Dos Aguas. Poles follow catenary curve of the curtains, and are thus invisible. -
References
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- ^ "Lit à la polonaise | Paris Musées". parismuseescollections.paris.fr.
- ^ "The Wrightsman Collection. Vols. 1 and 2, Furniture, Gilt Bronze and Mounted Porcelain, Carpets". Metropolitan Museum of Art – via Google Books.
- ^ Asid, Jeff Fiorito, Allied (July 13, 2015). "Fiorito Interior Design: Know Your Sofas Beds: The Lit à la Polonaise".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Singleton, Esther (December 12, 2019). "French and English furniture distinctive styles and periods described and illustrated". Good Press – via Google Books.
- ^ "Définition d'un lit à la polonaise - Petit dais arrondi sur montants métalliques". www.meubliz.com.
- ^ "Définition d'un lit à la duchesse". www.meubliz.com.
