Collections: Decorative Arts: Salesman's Sample of a Parlor Cabinet/Bed

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Salesman's Sample of a Parlor Cabinet/Bed

• Maker: John Higgins
• Medium: Walnut, other woods, silvered glass
• Place Made: New York, USA
• Dates: ca. 1870
• Dimensions: Closed: 12 7/8 x 9 9/16 x 4 1/4 in. (32.7 x 24.3 x 10.8 cm) Length when open: 11 5/8 in. (29.5 cm)
• Collections: Decorative Arts
• Museum Location: This item is not on view
• Accession Number: 2001.9.1
• Credit Line: Alfred T. and Caroline S. Zoebisch Fund
• Image: Overall, 2001.9.1_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
John Higgins. Salesman's Sample of a Parlor Cabinet/Bed, ca. 1870. Walnut, other woods, silvered glass, Closed: 12 7/8 x 9 9/16 x 4 1/4 in. (32.7 x 24.3 x 10.8 cm) Length when open: 11 5/8 in. (29.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred T. and Caroline S. Zoebisch Fund, 2001.9.1 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2001.9.1_bw.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Salesman's sample for convertible bed in form of a parlor cabinet; walnut, other woods, silvered glass. Upright rectangular case with fake slant-topped cabinet below; scrolling pediment at top of case with lost finial in center; stepped cornice around top edge; paneled sides. Front of cabinet has two arched mirrored windows in top section with molded strip in between; there appears to be a lost piece at the top of this strip which probably served as a handle for opening the bed; scrolling brackets in each top corner of front section. Hinged slanted top opens to empty space down front of unit (perhaps for storing bed linens). Bottom section of case with arched panels. Entire front of cabinet pulls down into a bed: the brackets fold down to form legs at the foot of the bed and support a rectangular box bed frame; removable box spring formed by joined slats of bent wood and springs; headboard across open back of cabinet with scrolled top edge. Condition: Good; some lost pieces including finial at top of cabinet, handle device, and slats in box spring; large crack in proper left lower front panel; scuffs in wood and losses in silver of mirrored glass.