Summary:
• Circa: 1870
• Period: Victorian
• Provenance: India
• Wood: Sissoo
• Maximum mattress opening: 4ft 8¼”wide by 6ft 11¾”long
• Will fit a standard UK double mattress (4ft 6” wide x 6ft 3” long)
• Luxury quality custom mattresses available
• Single tier structure
• Protruding moulded canopy
• Floral blind fretwork carvings to canopy & rails
• Four elegant barley twist posts
• Lion & unicorn mirrored crown
• Gadrooning & foliate carvings to headboard
• Triple floral carved panel & spindle headboard
• Ring turned footboard rail with spindles
• Moulded side rails & frame
• Stunning quality carvings
• Turned & floral carved baluster legs
• Dismantles for easy transportation and access
• Original polish & patination
• Rich dark red & brown colour
• Good original condition
• Muslin draping service available
• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• Free 14 days UK returns policy
Description:
Here is a stunning quality antique 4ft 6” wide Victorian colonial Raj double four-poster bed, boasting the original polish, circa 1870, originating from colonial India. This bed will therefore fit a standard UK double mattress size (4ft 6” wide by 6ft 3” long) if the slats are not lowered (please see section “Lowering the Slats” below for further information). The maximum mattress opening is 4ft 8¼” wide by 6ft 11¾” long; therefore we could supply a longer mattress than 6ft 3” if preferred. The bed incorporates a single-tier structure, with a triple carved floral panel headboard, flanked by a bank of ring turned spindles below an arched headboard incorporating gadrooning. The carved open fretwork detail to the mirrored lion and unicorn crown is spectacular; this is evident in the floral carvings visible on the crown. The bed incorporates moulded side rails and rails to the head and footboard, which are, adorned with blind fretwork floral carvings on a pitted background. To the bottom of the bed, the single-tier footboard incorporates multiple ring-turned spindles below a horizontal barley twist turned rail. Above the bed frame, four barley twist tapered posts support a protruding moulded canopy, which is also adorned with further blind fretwork floral carvings on a pitted background. The bed terminates on ring turned baluster legs decorated with floral carvings. The superstructure lends itself to being dressed with romantic fabric drapes.
Retaining the original polish and patination, the bed boasts a rich dark red brown colour, with a mid satin French polish finish. The bed is constructed of sissoo wood and has a superior structure. This bed would look stunning in either a contemporary or traditional setting. It dismantles for easy transportation and we can provide affordable good quality custom mattresses. This is a superior quality centrepiece for any bedroom and is ideal for those who prefer a wider bed.
Provenance:
The style of these beds dates from 1840 until 1947 (until Indian Independence). The beds were constructed for the British Raj, their families and the British Military in Colonial India. The beds were designed to collapse and be transported “flat pack” so could easily be moved whilst on military exercises and to their summerhouses in the hills. They were made when the Raj was at its height. The size, style and quality of the bed depict the status of the occupier or the military rank of the owner. They were made from the finest wood usually Mahogany, Teak or Sissoo wood (a member of the rose wood family).
Teak and sissoo wood were used extensively in the construction of these colonial four-poster beds because they had the advantage of only minimally expanding and contracting when exposed to extremes in temperature and humidity. They were resistant to woodworm, termites, and the occasional splash of seawater.
External Dimensions:
External Height = 192cm or 75⅝” or 6ft 3⅝”
External length = 230.5cm or 90¾” or 7ft 6”¾”
External width = 152.5cm or 60” or 5ft
Headboard height (including Crown) = 146cm or 57½” or 4ft 9½”
Headboard height (excluding Crown) = 106cm or 41¾” or 3ft 5¾”
Footboard height = 81cm or 31⅞” or 2ft 7⅞”
Height from floor to top of side rails = 58cm or 22⅞” or 1ft 10⅞”
Height from floor to bottom of side rails = 45.3cm or 17⅞” or 1ft 5⅞”
Side rail depth = 12.7cm or 5”
Side rail length = 203cm or 79⅞” or 6ft 7⅞
Maximum Mattress Opening (slats not lowered):
Length = 211.5cm or 83¼” or 6ft 11¾”
Width (slats) = 137.2cm or 54” or 4ft 6”
Width (including side rails) = 143cm or 56¼” or 4ft 8¼”
Maximum Mattress Opening (slats lowered):
Length = 211.5cm or 83¼” or 6ft 11¾”
Width = 135cm or 53⅛” or 4ft 5⅛”
Condition Report:
This bed is in good original condition, which is commensurate with its age. Some nominal old use marks to the leading edges and polish but nothing significant considering the age of the item. This bed, which retains the original polish and patination, boasts a rich dark brown colour, with a light satin French polish finish. It is extremely difficult to replicate this colour and patination with furniture that has been re-polished. The bed is constructed of solid sisoo wood and boasts a superior structure. The bed is well constructed, solid in joint and ready to use.
Terms & Conditions:
Before you purchase this item, please ensure you have read and are in agreement with our Terms & Conditions of Sale. If you have any questions regarding our Terms & Conditions of Sale, please contact us to discuss them, before purchasing this item.
Ref. A280