State Bed

Following advice from textile historian Annabel Westman and National Trust textile advisor, Ksynia Marko, the hangings and pelmets were conserved during 2006 and 2007. The textile was covered with specially dyed conservation netting to both protect them and recreate the original effect of the damask, the colours of which have faded unevenly. New silk damask, specially woven to match the original was used to recover the headboard and recreate window curtains in the room.

Click on the link below to view a short film about the project - State Bed film (50mb - no sound)

During the project it was discovered that the height of the bed had been decreased. Annabel Westman oversaw work by the in-house team to raise the frame by 18½ inches to its original height. This levelled the top valances and raised the tester so that the bare dome was no longer as visible.

Tradition has it that the bed currently was the one in which George II died, and was subsequently given as a perquisite (perk) to the 4th Duke of Devonshire who was Lord Chamberlain.

The bed was sent to Hardwick Hall in the 19th century, where it was in the bedroom of Evelyn, wife of the 9th Duke of Devonshire, in the early 20th century. Knowing that it had come from Chatsworth she returned it here, and placed it in the State Bedroom. King George V and Queen Mary used the State Apartments during their visit in 1933, the only royalty ever to do so.