The Golden Bed of 1879, designed by William Burges, with a painted headboard by Fred Weekes. The bed's mahogany and pine frame is ornamented with Burges's typical exuberance. Intricately carved by his usual wood- and stone-carver, Thomas Nicholls, it is gilded, and has stencilling as well as the notable painted scene on its headboard. The maker was John Walden of Covent Garden, who produced ornate furniture items like this for Burges at Cardiff Castle too.(Tilbrook 34). Created for the Guest Chamber at Burges's own Tower House in Melbury Road, Kensington, the bed is now on loan to Knightshayes Court from the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Photographs by kind permission of the museum.
Left: "The Guest's Chamber — General View" (Pullan, plate 21). Right: "The Head of the Bed" (Pullan, plate 22).
According to the museum, the scene on the panel at the head of the bed illustrates the general theme for the room — "Vita Nova" or "New Life." Indeed, in R.P. Pullan's contemporary account, the painted headboard is first described as celebrating "the earth and its productions" (4). Pullan, who was Burges's brother-in-law and who lived on in Tower House and documented it in a set of early photographs, would have been the best guide here. Interestingly, however, the scene of flourishing nature, complete with trees, flowers and birds (including a peacock) is the backdrop for what Pullan later in his book identifies as "The Judgement of Paris" from Greek mythology, albeit with figures in medieval dress (see Pullan 11). It shows Paris deciding that the Golden Apple should go to Venus as the most beautiful of three goddesses — a decision that eventually leads to the Trojan War. The natural context is indeed very beautiful; but it is obvious from the intense expressions of the principal figures that the seed of discord is being sewn within it. This choice of subject was a popular enough one in the art world of the time: see, for example, G.A. Storey's take on it in The Judgement of Paris, of 1877. But it is not necessarily conducive to sweet dreams, and perhaps reflects the quirky humour for which both Burges and Weekes were well known. — Jacqueline Banerjee
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Bibliography
Crook, J. Mordaunt. William Burges and the High Victorian Dream. Revised ed. London: Francis Lincoln, 2013.
The Golden Bed. Victoria and Albert Museum. Web. 13 October 2025.
Pullan, R.P., ed.The House of William Burges, ARA. Internet Archive, from the collections of the National Art library at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Web. 13 October 2025.
Tilbrook, Adrian J., ed. Truth, Beauty and Design: Victorian, Edwardian and Later Decorative Art.. London: Fischer Fine Art, 1986.
Created 13 October 2025