Room 57: The Great Bed of Ware
The enormous, three-metre-wide, Great Bed of Ware dominates Room 57. Probably built for an inn at Ware, Hertfordshire, about 1590, it is twice the size of a normal bed of the period. In contrast to this, portrait miniatures, popular during the reign of Elizabeth I are also on display here. Aiming to give the impression of stability, Elizabeth commissioned artists to create highly stylized portraits of herself which were distributed both in the form of prints to the masses as well as miniatures in lockets and gold cases to her favourites.
From 5 March 2012 the Great Bed begins its journey back to Ware. It is leaving the V&A on a year-long loan to the Ware Museum – the first time the Bed has ever been on loan to another venue.
Room 57 is on Level 2 of the V&A South Kensington.
Objects you can find in this gallery:A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
MoreShop online
Tudor Bed Valance - Fold-Out Card
A greeting card that folds out to reveal an amazing embroidered bed valance showing an elaborate garden party. Linen embroidered with silk and wool. P…
Buy nowEvent - Going to Bed
Thu 23 May 2013 13:00
GALLERY TALK: Join us on a tour of the Galleries, looking at one of the most intimate pieces of furniture in the home.
Book online
