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Lot 1193
An Early 20th Century Mahogany Four Poster Bedstead, 135cm by 210cm by 216cmGood quality mattress fairly new, the frame assembles completely and is adequately sturdy but with some joint movement, some splits to the timber of the top canopy, some chips and losses to the turnings, general fading and superficial marks to the polish. No evidence of woodworm. 190cm by 140cm by 25cmEstimate £300-500
Lot 1211
A Reproduction Mahogany Tray Topped Drinks Table Cabinet, of kidney shape, with bevelled glass panels, and on scroll supports, 73cm by 42cm by 72cm,together with a jug and bowl stand, an Edwardian oak salon chair, an envelope card table, a Victorian style painted bedstead, a drop dial striking wall clock and a triangular three drawer chest with African style carvings, 102cm (7)
Lot 351
CAPTAIN MAITLAND'S SOFA (COUCH) ON WHICH NAPOLEON LAY oak framed, three-quarter horsehair upholstered padded back, later cover with fleur-de-lis trellis pattern, the plain front rail centrally applied with a silver rectangular plaque engraved “SOFA ON WHICH BONAPARTE SLEPT ON BOARD H.M.S BELLEROPHON 1815” (indistinct makers mark W&W and STG.SI) on four pairs of square section legs linked by conforming stretchers184 cm wide74cm deep96.5cm high Provenance: Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland KCB (1777-1839) and thence by descent This sofa has been preserved through the centuries because it is associated so closely with Napoleon Bonaparte. The many accounts we have vary a lot in their description of the former Emperor’s mood; unsurprisingly, as it would have varied over the course of his voyage on the Bellerophon. Still, his spirit on coming aboard was striking. In the circumstances you might expect him to be shrunken and inward-looking. No. Those about him noticed his vigour, his charm, the interest he showed in those he met and in the workings of the ship. As almost always in his life, he read intensely. One of his concerns in Rochefort had been over the late arrival of his library. The Bellerophon’s Lieutenant John Bowerbank recalled in his diary, “Buonaparte was whilst with us an early riser, and most of his time was employed in reading.” One might imagine him, on this sofa, feeding an ever-hungry mind. As the Bellerophon sailed-on, as Napoleon took his last look at France and perhaps became increasingly aware of the future awaiting him, his spirits do seem to have dimmed. He tended to spend more time in his cabin, much of it dozing on this sofa. Captain Maitland appears to have had no qualms about offering his quarters to Napoleon. Initially he wanted to divide his cabin between the former Emperor and the women of his party, but, as he recalled some years later: “I said to Monsieur Las Cases [a member of Napoleon’s entourage], I propose dividing the after-cabin in two, that the ladies may have the use of one part of it. " If you allow me to give an opinion," said he, " the Emperor will be better pleased to have the whole of the after-cabin to himself, as he is fond of walking about, and will by that means be able to take more exercise." I answered, " As it is my wish to treat him with every possible consideration while he is on board the ship I command, I shall make any arrangement you think will be most agreeable to him." On being shown his cabin, the Emperor responded cheerfully, “Une Belle Chambre.” “Such as it is, Sir, it is at your service while you remain on this ship,” Maitland replied. A pattern of decency and of friendliness had been established. Visitors to preserved ships, such as the Victory are often struck by the apparent comfort in which senior officers lived. The space, furniture, homeliness of their quarters contrasts with the narrow lives of lower deck sailors. With huge crews and limited space, the latter berthed in hammocks strung perhaps just 14 inches apart. Their only furniture, a chest on which they sat to eat and a table hinged from the side of the ship or slung between the guns. The captain of a 74 gun ship like the Bellerophon might live in comparative luxury. His cabins would be beneath the poop deck – the highest part of the ship. Here might be light and air. The gunports opening onto the ordinary sailors’ quarters were lower down and had to be kept closed in most sea conditions. Details varied from ship to ship but typically a captain would have a stern gallery – a balcony on which he could stretch his legs in peace. His main (or “great”) cabin would take light from that. To one side there would be a private lavatory. Forward of the great cabin would be a smaller sleeping cabin and a space sometimes called the “coach,” an ante-room or dining cabin. Doors from each opened on to the quarter deck and the ship’s wheel. To either side were small cabins, one usually the office for the captain’s clerk, the other a sleeping cabin for the ship’s master. The difference between the way in which a captain and his men were housed would not have been felt in quite the way they might be today. The Navy mirrored the stratification of society. Officers were, notionally (if not always entirely in practice), gentlemen: used to the comforts of a manor house or more ashore. Their quarters afloat were narrower. The ordinary sailors were sure at least of having a deck, if not a roof, above their heads – which is more than many of the working poor ashore had. The sea was, in a sense, a leveller. Often a captain’s cabin was made homely. The floor might be covered in a cloth painted in black and white checks, as a reminder of marble at home. Furnishing varied with taste and purse. That of a Captain Tiddeman, sailing to the East Indies in 1750 has been recorded. He took, one large and one small bedstead, twelve dining and two leather chairs, a settee, two large tables, two escritoires, three bookcases, three chest of drawers, six more chairs and a table, two tea chests, four clothes and china chests, six pictures of the king and the royal family, a looking-glass in a gilt frame and a large quantity of plate. Others travelled more lightly. One thing to remember: however furnished, a 74 was a ship of war and almost everything was subordinate to that. When cleared for action the walls that made that a cabin, however tricked-out to make them look like a home, would disappear.They might slide out of place or be hinged and folded up to the ceiling.Some might be no more than canvas.Furniture would be cleared away - usually to the holds.Guns run out. Footnote: STG as a mark on silver is the abbreviation of Sterling and was used in Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. The SI abbreviation is for Silver A reproduction print of the couch from a period publication, entitled “CAPTAIN MAITLAND’S COUCH On which Napoleon lay down for some hours every day By special permission of Mr F Lewis-Maitland of Lindores, Fifeshire Photograph by W. Keay Latimer” 18cm x 20cm William Keay Latimer (1878-1923) was operating in Kirkcaldy by 1908, close to the Maitland family. Latimer passed away in 1923, which would mean that the photograph would have to pre-date 1923.
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