Box-bed
Encyclopedia
A box-bed is a bed enclosed in furniture that looks like a cupboard
, half-opened or not.
The box-bed is closed on all sides by panels of wood. One enters it by removing curtains, opening a door hinge or sliding doors on one or two slides.
The bed is placed on short legs to prevent moisture due to a dirt floor.
In front of the box-bed was often a large oaken chest, with the same length as the bed. This was always the 'seat of honour,' and served also as a step for climbing into the bed. It was also used to store clothing, underwear and bedding the rest of the time.
Some closed-beds were built one above the other in a double-decker, two-story arrangement. In this case, young people were sleeping upstairs.
It was the main furniture of rural houses in Britanny until the 20th century. Often carved and decorated, it was the pride of its owners.
Closed-beds were 1.60 to 1.70 m length, long enough for people of that region who were rather small. And because they slept in almost a sitting position, they leaned on three or four pillows. It was the tradition of the Middle Ages not to sleep lying down, because that is the position of the dead and of effigies
.
Later out of fashion and expensive to make, box-beds were gradually abandoned in the 19th and 20th centuries. Fine pieces were put in museums (Lampaul-Guimiliau
, Nantes
, Quimper
, Rennes
, St-Brieuc), while most of them were converted into bookshelves, dressers or TV cabinets. In the 21st century, rental companies offer nights in authentic box-beds.
Box-beds were also used to protect people of the home from the animals (pigs, hens) also living in the house, or even to protect them from wolves who might enter houses and snatch babies.
One of the advantages of the closet-bed was that it could be built into the living room and closed off during the day, making a separate bedroom unnecessary. The other main advantage was that, during the winter, the small area of the closet-bed would be warmed by body heat. As a result, the stove did not need to be stoked overnight. The door would not be shut completely, but left open a crack.
During the 16th and 17th century, closet-beds were much smaller. Lying down was associated with death, and therefore sleeping was done in a half-upright position. These closet-beds slept two people, and beneath them were often doors for children.
's detective novel The Patience of Maigret (originally, Le chien jaune, 1936), republished as Maigret and the Yellow Dog. In a house with pretentious furnishings, the detective notices "Breton closet-beds transformed into vitrines".
A box bed is also mentioned in Tim Powers' Declare.
Cupboard
A cupboard or press is a type of cabinet, often made of wood, used indoors to store household objects such as food, crockery, textiles and liquor, and protect them from dust,vermin and dirt....
, half-opened or not.
The box-bed is closed on all sides by panels of wood. One enters it by removing curtains, opening a door hinge or sliding doors on one or two slides.
The bed is placed on short legs to prevent moisture due to a dirt floor.
In front of the box-bed was often a large oaken chest, with the same length as the bed. This was always the 'seat of honour,' and served also as a step for climbing into the bed. It was also used to store clothing, underwear and bedding the rest of the time.
The closed-bed in Britanny
In French Britanny, the closed-bed (French: lit-clos) is a traditional furnishing. In homes with usually only one room, the box-bed allowed some privacy and helped keep people warm during winter.Some closed-beds were built one above the other in a double-decker, two-story arrangement. In this case, young people were sleeping upstairs.
It was the main furniture of rural houses in Britanny until the 20th century. Often carved and decorated, it was the pride of its owners.
Closed-beds were 1.60 to 1.70 m length, long enough for people of that region who were rather small. And because they slept in almost a sitting position, they leaned on three or four pillows. It was the tradition of the Middle Ages not to sleep lying down, because that is the position of the dead and of effigies
Effigy
An effigy is a representation of a person, especially in the form of sculpture or some other three-dimensional form.The term is usually associated with full-length figures of a deceased person depicted in stone or wood on church monuments. These most often lie supine with hands together in prayer,...
.
Later out of fashion and expensive to make, box-beds were gradually abandoned in the 19th and 20th centuries. Fine pieces were put in museums (Lampaul-Guimiliau
Lampaul-Guimiliau
Lampaul-Guimiliau is a commune in the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France.It is noted for its parish close.-Etymology:...
, Nantes
Nantes
Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
, Quimper
Quimper
Quimper is a commune and capital of the Finistère department of Brittany in northwestern France.-Administration:Quimper is the prefecture of the Finistère department.-Geography:...
, Rennes
Rennes
Rennes is a city in the east of Brittany in northwestern France. Rennes is the capital of the region of Brittany, as well as the Ille-et-Vilaine department.-History:...
, St-Brieuc), while most of them were converted into bookshelves, dressers or TV cabinets. In the 21st century, rental companies offer nights in authentic box-beds.
Box-beds were also used to protect people of the home from the animals (pigs, hens) also living in the house, or even to protect them from wolves who might enter houses and snatch babies.
The closet-bed in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands the closet-bed, or bedstede, were common into the 19th century, especially in farmhouses in the countryside. Closet-beds were closed off with a door or a curtain.One of the advantages of the closet-bed was that it could be built into the living room and closed off during the day, making a separate bedroom unnecessary. The other main advantage was that, during the winter, the small area of the closet-bed would be warmed by body heat. As a result, the stove did not need to be stoked overnight. The door would not be shut completely, but left open a crack.
During the 16th and 17th century, closet-beds were much smaller. Lying down was associated with death, and therefore sleeping was done in a half-upright position. These closet-beds slept two people, and beneath them were often doors for children.
In literature
Box-beds are mentioned in Georges SimenonGeorges Simenon
Georges Joseph Christian Simenon was a Belgian writer. A prolific author who published nearly 200 novels and numerous short works, Simenon is best known for the creation of the fictional detective Maigret.-Early life and education:...
's detective novel The Patience of Maigret (originally, Le chien jaune, 1936), republished as Maigret and the Yellow Dog. In a house with pretentious furnishings, the detective notices "Breton closet-beds transformed into vitrines".
A box bed is also mentioned in Tim Powers' Declare.