Lit a la turque

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The Lit a Turque, a bed with two scrolling ends and a baldachin, was one of many products of the eighteenth century. Due to the obsession with anything exotic or unusual from foreign counties; beds, furniture and other objects reflected this style. The design of this bed is not directly linked with any Turkish design, but reflects the luxurious and romantic designs that inspired the craftsmen of this time.

Beds of this type were usually placed sideways against the wall with a baldachin. Many times these beds were placed on wheels allowing the body of the bed to be pulled out and made up easily, while the back would stay attached to the wall.

Fashion for Turkish things peaked in the 1700s when Madame de Pompadour had a bedroom called the chamber a la turque (Turkish bedroom).

Information from The Getty web site. http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artObjectDetails?artobj=6778. Image from www.philographikin.com/furniture.html