Fine and Rare Queen Anne Mahogany Daybed, Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1760

Sotheby's, New York, Fine Americana, October 26, 1991, sale 6227, lot 394;
Alan Miller, Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

George Parker, “Early American Furniture in Wisconsin,” Wisconsin Academy Review,  43: 2 (Spring 1997), 7.

Triangular repair to upper proper left corner of splat.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

With its yoked crest, elongated vase splat, scalloped seat rail, cabriole legs ending in pad feet, and turned stretchers, this day bed or couch follows a type of Queen Anne style chair made in Boston in the mid-eighteenth century. Its adjustable back allowed for it to be used for reclining at meals, resting during the day, and sleeping at night.  The form was produced during the first half of the eighteenth century, although not widely, for an elite clientele.

Several other similar daybeds with six cabriole legs, squared rear legs, block and spindle stretchers, yoke-shaped crest rails and vasiform splats are known. One of walnut is in the collection of the Chipstone Foundation.¹ Another made of maple is in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.² Another maple example is at Colonial Williamsburg.³ One at Winterthur Museum of maple has double stiles in the back.⁴ One at the Metropolitan Museum of Art also made of maple has straight rails and stiles with turned finials.⁵ Two other walnut examples are in the respective collections of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.

¹ See Oswaldo Rodriguez Roque, American Furniture at Chipstone, Milwaukee, 1984, no. 90, pp. 196-7.
² See Richard Randall, American Furniture in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1965, no. 190, pp. 230-231.
³ See Barry Greenlaw, New England Furniture at Williamsburg, Williamsburg, 1974, no. 87, pp. 102-103.
⁴ Nancy Richards and Nancy Evans, New England Furniture at Winterthur, Winterthur, 1997, no. 101, pp. 190-191.
⁵ See Morrison Heckscher, American Furniture in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1985, no. 65, pp. 113-114.