Antique Four Poster Beds
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany
1880s English Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Brass
19th Century British Antique Four Poster Beds
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Four Poster Beds
Wood
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Brass, Iron
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Brass, Iron
19th Century Indian Antique Four Poster Beds
1880s English Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Brass, Iron
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany
1860s English Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Brass, Iron, Steel
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Brass, Iron
19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany
1870s English Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Four Poster Beds
Brass, Iron
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Four Poster Beds
Brass
1790s Antique Four Poster Beds
1830s French William IV Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany
19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Antique Four Poster Beds
Brass
1880s American Empire Antique Four Poster Beds
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
1890s Portuguese Romantic Antique Four Poster Beds
Walnut
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Four Poster Beds
Mirror, Mahogany
Early 1900s Antique Four Poster Beds
Glass
19th Century American Federal Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany, Poplar
Early 19th Century American American Classical Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century Irish Queen Anne Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany
19th Century Virgin Islands Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany
1820s Jamaican British Colonial Antique Four Poster Beds
Mahogany, Poplar
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Antique Four Poster Beds For Sale on 1stDibs
Finding the Right Beds-frames for You
We find relaxation and solace in our bedrooms, which are often the most cherished rooms of a home. Your antique, new or vintage bed and bed frame are integral to this oasis of personal comfort.
Beds and bed frames have long been an important part of the sanctuary that is the bedroom. For the upper class in countries such as England, the massive, costly beds of the 16th and 17th centuries were decorative and of the poster variety. Some were characterized by large painted wooden headboards, often made of oak, that featured ornate carvings and richly colored curtains affixed to each of the two or four posts — think of today’s sumptuous upholstered headboards as a distant cousin to these luxurious furnishings. The heavy fabric curtains were drawn across a fringed canopy to close out the sunlight that might’ve warmed your grandiose and opulent bedchambers. This feature could also offer privacy as desired, because, as we all know, a bedroom is for more than just sleeping.
Coiled springs didn’t make their way into mattresses until the 1800s, which likely made for a far more comfortable night’s sleep for many. Bed frames of cast iron and brass were introduced during the mid- to late-19th century. Later, the 20th century brought with it marvelous innovations for slumberland, among them daybeds from the likes of George Nelson and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich as well as convertible sofa beds.
Today, you will find a range of beds geared toward your individual personality and preferred style of decor. When shopping for a bed and bed frame, keep in mind that you’ve got options. Sizes range from twin to California king. At 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, a king-size bed is roughly 16 inches wider than a queen-size mattress, and your bed frame will likely add two to five inches to each side. (The California king bed is 84 inches long.)
From dramatic bedroom designs to uncomplicated, minimalist approaches, the bedroom has evolved into the haven that it should be: a peaceful place of respite, where we begin and end every day. Take the time to create your very own oasis — you deserve it. Rest easy with an expansive collection of antique, new and vintage beds and bed frames available on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bed with four posts is called a four-poster bed. Many attach to awnings called canopies. Historical records trace the beds back to the 3rd century, but they became especially popular during the Middle Ages. Find a selection of antique and vintage four-poster beds on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Across the top of older four-poster beds was a wooden rail that was called the tester. The tester often held a rail where curtains were attached that could be pulled closed. Shop a collection of four-poster beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Today, the point of a four-poster bed is largely stylistic. People place them in bedrooms due to their elegant decorative appearance. Historically, four-poster beds featured heavy curtains that blocked light, preserved privacy and provided warmth in the winter. You'll find a selection of four-poster beds on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022References show that in the 14th and 15th centuries, “four-post” was the correct terminology. However, today it is considered correct to say “four-poster”. You can find a range of vintage and antique four-poster beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The tester on a four poster bed is the canopy over the bed. It was usually made of wood and could be covered with cloth. It provided privacy and helped enclose the bed, making it easier to heat the bed area. On 1stDibs, find an array of vintage and contemporary four-poster beds.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A four poster bed features four posts, one at each corner. A canopy bed also has four posts, one at each corner, but a canopy bed is covered with a cloth of some sort. They can look similar except for the canopy on top. However, canopy posts are often built differently than four poster beds so they can accommodate the fabric. Shop a collection of four poster and canopy beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022You can make a four-poster bed modern in a number of ways. Try refinishing it with matte spray paint or covering the headboard with fabric or wallpaper. You can also hang fabric in contemporary prints from the frame as a canopy. You'll find a collection of four-poster beds on 1stDibs.
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