The State Bed, Lydiard House

The State Bed at Lydiard Park is an 18th century four poster with modern covers and hand embroidered panels, made in c2005. The original colour of the drapery is described as 'drab' - a variable tone. The shade of drab that was chosen for the silk fabric echoes the colour of the costume worn by Barbara Villiers in a portrait by Sir Peter Lely in the Bedroom.

Hand embroidered panels were created by needlewomen volunteers from Kennet and Swindon Art Society (then known as Kennet NADFAS). The diamond shaped embroideries are copies of designs in the 17th century window painting by Abraham Van Linge which can be seen in the adjoining Dressing Room.

The bed frame is not original to Lydiard House, but was purchased by Swindon Corporation. The original had been destroyed by the owner who had purchased it at the Lydiard furniture sale during World War II.