Summary:
• Circa: 1880
• Period: Victorian
• Provenance: India
• Wood: Sissoo
• Maximum mattress opening: 4ft 7⅞” wide by 6ft 5” long
• Fits a standard UK double size mattress (4ft 6” wide by 6ft 3” long)
• Luxury quality mattresses available
• Single tier structure
• Drop down bar canopy
• Four elegant barley twist carved posts
• Floral carved crown
• Arched headboard with gadroon moulding
• Floral pierced fretwork carved panel & turned spindles to headboard
• Barley twist carved footboard top rail supported by turned spindles
• Moulded side rails & frame
• Stunning quality carvings
• Turned legs
• Dismantles for easy transportation and access
• Original polish & patination
• Rich dark red & brown colour
• Excellent original condition
• Muslin draping service available
• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• Free 14-day UK returns policy
Description:
This is a fine quality antique 4ft 6” wide Victorian colonial Anglo-Indian Raj four-poster bed, circa 1880, which will fit a standard UK double size mattress (4ft 6” wide by 6ft 3” long), in excellent original condition. The level of detail and craftmanship displayed in the materials, construction and carving of this bed is second to none.
This four poster bed will fit a standard UK double size mattress (4ft 6” wide by 6ft 3” long) if the slats remain at their original height (please see section “Lowering the Slats” below for further information).
The headboard incorporates a floral pierced fretwork carved panel, flanked by turned spindles. An arched carved fretwork panel sits above, with decorative gadroon moulding running the length of the moulded headboard frame.
The bed incorporates elegant moulded side rails & frame side rails and footboard rail. The footboard incorporates multiple ring-turned spindles below a barley twist rail. Above the bed frame, four barley twist posts support a drop-down bar canopy. The bed terminates on substantial turned legs. This bed displays beautiful carvings throughout – even the bolt caps to the frame are carved into flower heads. The superstructure also lends itself to being dressed with romantic fabric drapes.
Retaining the original polish and patination, this colonial bed boasts a rich red-brown colour, with a satin French polish finish. The bed is constructed of sissoo wood and has a superior structure. This double size four poster bed would look stunning in either a contemporary or traditional setting. It dismantles for easy transportation and we can provide 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 bed 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 = 204.2cm or 80⅜” or 6ft 8⅜”
External length = 220.5cm or 86¾” or 7ft 2¾”
External width = 158.7cm or 62½” or 5ft 2½”
Headboard height (including crown) = 148.8cm or 58½: or 4ft 10½”
Headboard height (excluding crown) = 112.2cm or 44¼” or 3ft 8¼”
Footboard height = 86.7cm or 34⅛” or 2ft 10⅛”
Height from floor to top of side rails = 62cm or 24⅜” or 2ft 0⅜”
Side rail depth = 12.9cm or 5”
Maximum Mattress Opening (slats not lowered):
Length = 195.8cm or 77” or 6ft 5”
Width (slats) = 136.2cm or 53⅝” or 4ft 5⅝”
Width (including side rails) = 142cm of 55⅞” or 4ft 7⅞”
Maximum Mattress Opening (slats lowered):
Length = 195.8cm or 77” or 6ft 5”
Width = 133.8cm or 52⅝” or 4ft 4⅝”
Condition Report:
This 4f 6” wide Victorian colonial Anglo-Indian Raj double size four-poster bed is in excellent 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. The headboard and footboard bed joints have been cleaned and glued to ensure the bed frame is solid in joint. The bed has been French polished by hand in our workshop to a professional standard, therefore the colour and patination of the timber is of an excellent standard. The carvings are all intact, with no missing pieces or damage beyond the usual signs of age and use. The bed assembles together and all bolts and screws are in good condition. The bed is well constructed, solid in joint and ready to use. It is rare to find antique beds which will fit a modern 6ft super king mattress.
Lowering the Slats:
The benefit of lowering the slats is that you get to see more of the headboard carvings even though you are using a modern 10” – 12” depth mattress. The original Victorian mattresses would have only been 2” – 3” deep. The slats are lowered by around 3” in height. By lowering the slats, the width of the mattress will be reduced by 1” in total.
It is advised that 1” should be removed from the mattress width dimension, if the slats are to be lowered. Between 1”- 3” (in total) should be removed from the above mattress length dimension to allow the mattress to comfortably fit on the bed between the headboard and footboard.
The mattress shown on the bed in the pictures is a standard UK double size mattress, which measures 4ft wide x 6ft 3” long.
If you wanted to lower the slats, you may still be able to fit a standard UK double size mattress, but it may be a tight fit on the width. It just depends on how much “give” there is in your mattress to enable it to fit into a 4ft 4⅝” width. It is therefore recommended that a custom size mattress be supplied, to ensure a comfortable fit. It is recommended the custom size mattress should measure 4ft 4” wide by 6ft 3” long, if the slats are to be lowered.
Our custom mattresses start from £450. The actual dimensions of the custom mattress will depend on whether the slats are lowered or not.
Mattresses:
Because these beds are individually unique and do not always conform to modern mattress dimensions, we also supply a range of customised luxury quality mattresses for these beds starting from £450. Our mattresses are constructed of natural materials (silk, wool & cashmere) and are hand made in the UK. The mattresses can have the corners removed so to maximise the mattress fit in the super-structure of bed. The price quoted does not include the mattress. Please enquire for a mattress quote.
Draping Service:
We offer a separate draping service whereby we can dress the bed with any fabric of choice. This service can consist of the basic fabric being wrapped around the canopy, to hanging curtains or, providing a dressed solid roof with hung curtains. Apart from the superior style and presence, this four-poster bed had a practical purpose. The bed would have originally been decorated with a light muslin cotton material to prevent the mosquitos from biting the occupants in bed. The advertised price does not include drapes. Please contact us for a quote.
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.
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