The Washington herald., 1910-03-31
LUXURIOUS SLEEPING ROOMS
Stephen Marehand, an American,
Paid 100000 for His Bed.

From London Answers.
Nowadays bedsteads are comparative
~ cheap, and sloo is considered a big
price even for a rich man to spend on a
couch wherein he may pass away in
comfort his sleeping hours.
Occasionally, however, a millionaire
will expend few hundreds or thou
sands OF pounds on the furnishing Of
his bed chamber. and he viii not be sat.
isfied unless the bedstead equals in
spiendor the bedsteads to be found in
the worlds royal palaces.
Mr. Stephen Marehand. an American
OF vast wealth. made up his mind TO
possess tho most extensively lifted bed
chamber in the two hemispheres, and
with that purpose in view. he spent not
less than $4,000 on bedstead alone.
II was constructed of massive ebony,
with elaborate carvings of solid ivory.
and inlaid with gold hligree. At the
head OF the bedstead was a huge trophy
cut from one solid piece Of ivory. A
special Journey was taken to Africa TO
obtain a massive tusk for the purpose.
The bedstead was made by large
firm in Paris, and it occupied the finest
artisans OF France for over two years
before it was completed. The hangings
were Of a special purple damask, costing
nearly SIS yard.
Mr.. Marchands bedchamber, which was
Of elliptical form and measured seventy
six feet by twenty-five feet. had its walls
paneIed with deliberately carved enrich
ments in the style OF Louis XIV, costing
no Jess a sum than $4,000 The ceiling
OF this apartment was carved and dec
GRATED by Partisan artists. who were paid
s19,S5a.
A rich London lady, a year or two ago,
spent over $4,000 in furnishing her bed
chamber. The carpet-a grand, hand
tied purple Administrators 1850.
The chairs and other furniture are OF
solid. carved ivory. with ebony and gold
inlay. The toilet fittings are of Oriental
alabaster, and cost some hundreds of
pounds.
IN the center Of the room is a Cochin
China table. inlald with mother-of-pearl
and worth $50. The bedstead is of brass.
l'inlaid with fine pearls. and at the head
is an artificial landscape Of crystal. ivory,
amber, pearls, and other stones
The bedchambers in the palaces OF
Turkey are most magnificent. and the
majority Of the royal touches within
them are worth small fortunes.
When the German Empress once visited
the ex-sultan Abdul Hamid room was
placed at her disposal which contained a
bedstead constructed entirely OF solid
silver, artistically chased on many ele-
CANT designs. The curtains which sur
rounded it were of Oriental material and
design. heavily embroidered with gold.
The Shah Of Persia possesses one Of the
finest bed chambers IN existence. Its
suite % furniture is manufactured from
ivory and iaiaid with gold and precious
stones. The curtains and curtain hangers
are Of the finest Brussels net. interviewer
with silk.
The cnef d'oeuvre OF the whole apart
ment is the bedstead. It is composed en-
tirely Of crystal and delicately chased
fountains on the sides eject jets of scent
ell water at the viii OF the occupant
Above the bed is q huge chandelier
which. when lighted, looks Ike a mass
OF monster diamonds. all rejecting their
brilliance al the same time.
In the French state collection OF furni-
ture there IS a Masonic bedstead, sur
mounted by a large canopy. II is of ex-
traordinary height and is ornamenteo
with some Of the most delicate carving IL
is possible for the hand of man TO turn
o,,+ Tha Ere,eb eox-a~r,roe1t bas ho6
several tempting offers for this beautiful
couch, and they refused some time ago
1900 guineas for H.