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State bed rescued from charred remains of Clandon Park mansion State bed rescued from charred remains of Clandon Park mansion
(about 2 hours later)
A year after a fire gutted Clandon Park, an 18th-century National Trust mansion in Surrey, archaeologists and conservators have finally picked their way through shoulder-high mounds of charred timbers and scorched plaster to rescue one of its greatest treasures, the towering state bed last occupied more than 200 years ago by a French princess.A year after a fire gutted Clandon Park, an 18th-century National Trust mansion in Surrey, archaeologists and conservators have finally picked their way through shoulder-high mounds of charred timbers and scorched plaster to rescue one of its greatest treasures, the towering state bed last occupied more than 200 years ago by a French princess.
In the aftermath of the fire in April 2015, the structure of the bed was visible above the rubble but was impossible to reach. The first floor of the house was almost entirely destroyed by theblaze, and its ceilings and floors collapsed into the grandest rooms on the ground floor, so the conservators had to wait for the walls to be secured and the rooms blocking access to the bedroom to be cleared one by one. In the aftermath of the fire in April 2015, the structure of the bed was visible above the rubble but was impossible to reach. The first floor of the house was almost entirely destroyed by the blaze, and its ceilings and floors collapsed into the grandest rooms on the ground floor, so the conservators had to wait for the walls to be secured and the rooms blocking access to the bedroom to be cleared one by one.
By chance, at the time of the fire the embroidered velvet bed curtains had recently been returned from conservation work, and were in the room waiting to be rehung. Still in their packing crates, they were safely removed by firefighters.By chance, at the time of the fire the embroidered velvet bed curtains had recently been returned from conservation work, and were in the room waiting to be rehung. Still in their packing crates, they were safely removed by firefighters.
Although parts of the bed, including the original horsehair mattress, were destroyed, most of the wooden frame survived. The ornate canopy, which was originally suspended from the ceiling, was broken when that fell in, but the headboard survived as did its yellow and crimson silk ribbon decorations.Although parts of the bed, including the original horsehair mattress, were destroyed, most of the wooden frame survived. The ornate canopy, which was originally suspended from the ceiling, was broken when that fell in, but the headboard survived as did its yellow and crimson silk ribbon decorations.
Sophie Chessum, curator of the restoration project, was astonished that the bed survived. “I remember standing on the lawn watching in horror while this wonderful bed was surrounded by flames, convinced that I would never see it again.Sophie Chessum, curator of the restoration project, was astonished that the bed survived. “I remember standing on the lawn watching in horror while this wonderful bed was surrounded by flames, convinced that I would never see it again.
“Walking round with a fireman the next morning, I couldn’t have been more surprised to see the state bed still standing among the fallen timbers and charred panelling. It was damaged, but surviving, which is remarkable.”“Walking round with a fireman the next morning, I couldn’t have been more surprised to see the state bed still standing among the fallen timbers and charred panelling. It was damaged, but surviving, which is remarkable.”
When the bed was made in 1710 it would have been by far the most expensive item of furniture in the house, which was built by the Onslows to entertain royalty and aristocrats. The family had for centuries been involved in politics and affairs of state, with three members becoming Speakers of the House of Commons.When the bed was made in 1710 it would have been by far the most expensive item of furniture in the house, which was built by the Onslows to entertain royalty and aristocrats. The family had for centuries been involved in politics and affairs of state, with three members becoming Speakers of the House of Commons.
According to family tradition, the bed was last slept in by the Princesse de Lamballe, a friend of the French queen Marie Therèse who, like her, would die in the Reign of Terror after the French revolution.According to family tradition, the bed was last slept in by the Princesse de Lamballe, a friend of the French queen Marie Therèse who, like her, would die in the Reign of Terror after the French revolution.
The National Trust has announced that the ground floor state rooms will be fully restored, with the less elaborate first floor rooms given a plainer, more modern, treatment.The National Trust has announced that the ground floor state rooms will be fully restored, with the less elaborate first floor rooms given a plainer, more modern, treatment.