`Iolani Palace Collections

The Davenport Order and Other Furniture

225 pieces of furniture were ordered from A.H. Davenport Co. of Boston during construction of the new Palace. Each of the four bedroom suites on the second floor were almost identical but differed in the type of wood and upholstery and drapery fabric. The King’s Bedroom was decorated in light blue with ebony and gilt furniture. The Queen’s Bedroom furniture was in red with furniture of mahogany and gilt. Furnishings for the Guest Rooms were made of walnut (central bedroom) and cherry (front bedroom), having drapery and upholstery fabric in lemon yellow and olive green respectively.

After more than 40 years of searching, some of the largest pieces of furniture are still missing. The location of the ebony and gilt bed, dresser, and wardrobe ordered for King Kalakaua's bedroom remains unknown. Other items on the "wanted" list include: bedroom side chairs (9 missing), bedroom square and round chairs (2 missing), dressers (2 missing), and two other wardrobes. For historic photographs of rooms containing these, see Historic Photos.

If you think you may have original Palace furniture or articles from the Palace collections, or have information about their whereabouts, please contact the Curator, The Friends of `Iolani Palace.

Click on photo to see larger version. Historic photos are from the Hawai'i State Archives.

 

For additional information on marks, insignia, and motifs that may help identify Palace objects, see Iolani Palace Collections - Identifying Marks. See the following for additional information on other Palace objects and furnishings:

• Tableware, Glassware, and Silver Objects
• Works on Paper: Stationary, Invitations, Menus, Placecards, Etc.
• Royal Orders
• Military Accessories and Clothing
• Historic Photos
• Other Objects and Furnishings
• Most Wanted List
• Collections - General