Antique 5ft 10” Victorian Anglo-Indian Colonial Raj Bombay Teak Four Poster Bed (Circa 1880)

Summary:

• Item: Four Poster Bed
• Circa: 1880
• Period: Victorian
• Provenance: Bombay region, India
• Wood: Teak
• Maximum Mattress size: 5ft 10” wide by 6ft 9” long
• Central barley twist posts panels
• Carved centre post panels
• Drop-down canopy
• Two-tier structure (superior quality)
• Floral pierced ovals panels to head & footboard
• Central carved urn to head & footboard
• Turned spindles to head & footboard
• Straight side rails
• Cabriole legs
• Claw & ball feet
• Dismantles for easy transportation and access
• Original polish & patination
• Rich dark red & brown colour
• Excellent original condition
• Muslin draping service available
• Luxury quality mattresses available
• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• Free 14-day UK returns policy

Description:

This is a superb quality antique 5ft 10” wide Victorian Anglo-Indian Raj teak four-poster Bombay bed, circa 1880, in excellent original condition. The bed will fit a custom size mattress up to 5ft 10” wide by 6ft 9” long if the slats are left at the original height. If you choose to lower the slats (in order to see more detail in the headboard), a standard UK king sizes mattress (5ft wide x 6ft 6” long) would fit this bed, although there would be a small gap of 3” between the mattress and inside of the side rail. either side of the mattress. However, this gap could be filled with bedding and space to tuck duvet covers in.

The superstructure lends itself to being dressed with romantic fabric drapes. The four central barley twist posts hold the drop-down canopy in place, which in turn, are held in place by large threaded screws into the head and footboard. In between the turned posts on both the head and footboard is a panel which sports wavy open fretwork carving. The two-tier foot and headboard are mirrored in design featuring a carved central urn surrounded by floral carvings, flanked by turned spindles and oval shaped fretwork panels either side. Below the main panels is a second tier consisting of turned spindles. The head and footboard corners are supported by four sturdy turned columns, which sit above four cabriole legs resting on claw and ball feet. The bed retains the original stunning colour and patination, having been sympathetically cleaned in our workshop by hand.

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 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 = 221.2cm or 87⅛” or 7ft 3⅛”
External width = 183.8cm or 72⅜” or 6ft 0⅜”
External length = 228.5cm or 90” or 7ft 6”

Headboard height (to finials) = 155.2cm or 61⅛” or 5ft 1⅛”
Footboard height (to finials) = 154.9cm or 61” or 5ft 1”

Height from floor to top of side rails = 50.6cm or 19⅞” or 1ft 7⅞”
Height from floor to bottom of side rails = 40.4cm or 16” or 1ft 4”
Side rail depth = 10.2cm or 4”

Mattress Dimensions (slats not lowered):

Length = 206cm or 81⅛” or 6ft 9⅛” max
Width (slats) = 170.5cm or max 67⅛” or 5ft 7⅛”
Width (including side rails) = 177.5cm or 69⅞” or 5ft 9⅞” max

Mattress Dimensions (slats lowered):

Length = 206cm or 81⅛” or 6ft 9⅛” max
Width = 167.5cm or 66” or 5ft 6” max

Condition Report:

This is a superb quality antique 5ft 10” wide Victorian Anglo-Indian Raj solid teak four-poster Bombay bed, circa 1880, in excellent original condition. 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 cleaned and 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.

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. A279 / 59203