Napoleon’s camp bed

When he was on campaign, Napoleon's bivouac furniture had to be exceedingly practical, easy to set up and put away, easy to carry, and not too bulky. All the pieces of furniture provided for Napoleon by the imperial wardrobe matched every single one of these criteria: tent, chairs, stools, tables, everything could be folded away, and stored as desired. One key element in this ensemble was designed with particular care, namely, the camp bed. It was Desouches, “serrurier du garde-meuble de S.M. l'Empereur et Roi” (wardobe locksmith to H.M. the Emperor and King), residing at 18 rue de Verneuil (according to the Almanach du Commerce de Paris, des Départements de l'Empire français, for the year 1812) who patented the invention for portable iron beds. Several such beds were delivered in 1809, 1810 and 1813, 12 at a time for certain models. The invoice of 1809 bears the following text: “[…] camp bed, small model, carryable by a mule, with 'impériale' (see below), with frame and pommels in gilt copper; the gilt ornaments and the case are lined with cloth, 1100F; two leather porte-manteaux and four straps, 360F”.
 
These camp beds were soon adopted by both the Emperor and high ranking officers, and two models were available, with or without canopy. They could be folded along the length and width by means of ball-and-socket joints placed at the centre of the long stretchers of the frame and the shorter stretchers for the width. The main sockets were stamped with the imperial crown and inscribed: “Desouches”. The six feet were mounted on wheels, and the vertical poles or risers at the corners were topped with brass or gilt bronze balls. The 'impériale' was fixed to the risers below the four balls and was topped with a metal plaque which supported a small dome with a small copper globe set upon it. The “mattress” was made of striped twill attached to iron and bronze hooks set in the frame. When folded away, the bed ensemble was carried in a solid leather case.
 
This model was used by Napoleon throughout all his campaigns, and it was in such a bed that he died on 5 May, 1821, on the island of St Helena.
 
Karine Huguenaud (tr. P.H.)

September 2005