Image Credits
Quirijn van Brekelanhkam, Interior with a young woman at a spinning wheel and a servant, 1661
Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Quiringh_Gerritsz_van_Brekelenk…
Object Type(s)
Description
A wooden 4 poster bed usually had fabric hangings to help keep the sleeper warm. This was a valuable piece of furniture, and a status symbol because most household members slept on what we would today call 'bedrolls'.
The fabric hangings were often custom made for the bed, and heavy fabrics like velvet were favored for their ability to keep out drafts. Later on in the 18th century, Chintz printed in 'palimpore' or tree of life designs from India became very popular.