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The magnificent bed from the Chippendale Bedroom would have been a symbol of great wealth and status in eighteenth-century America. In eighteenth-century houses, the distinction between "public" and "private" rooms was far less certain than it is today. Because families were large and space was limited, beds were placed in virtually every room of the house. Only in the most affluent households could sleeping be relegated to special rooms. |
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These bedrooms, or "chambers," were also used for reading, working, and entertaining. They might contain desks, bookcases, card tables, and several chairs. Often, children would sleep in the same room as their parents. As a result, Americans were largely without privacy at home. |
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| To compensate, beds were enclosed with curtains, or "bed hangings," which provided privacy, warmth, and decorative appeal. Because cloth was extremely expensive in the eighteenth century, bed hangings were a luxury that few Americans could afford. In today's terms, fashionable bed hangings could cost as much as $30,000. |
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