Summary:
• Circa: 1860
• Period: Victorian
• Provenance: India
• Wood: Sissoo
• Maximum mattress opening: 5ft 7⅜” wide by 6ft 10” long
• Will fit a standard UK king size mattress (5ft” wide x 6ft 6” long)
• Luxury quality custom mattresses available
• Single tier structure
• Protruding dentil, ribbed & floral moulded canopy
• Floral blind fretwork carvings to frame
• Four elegant floral & vine carved posts
• Floral carved crown with lion and unicorn carvings & gilt initials ‘R N D’
• Moulded foliate scroll carved headboard top rail
• Triple floral carved panel & spindle two-tier headboard
• Two-tier footboard with turned floral carved top rail & spindles
• Moulded floral carved side rails & frame
• Stunning quality carvings
• Cabriole legs with carved angel figureheads & scroll toes raised on pad feet
• 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:
Here is a stunning quality antique 5ft 7” wide Victorian colonial Anglo-Indian Raj four-poster bed, circa 1860, which will fit a standard UK king size mattress (5ft wide x 6ft 6” long), in excellent original condition, boasting the original polish, originating from colonial India. The level of detail and craftmanship displayed in the materials, construction and carving of this bed is second to none, and by fare one of the best Anglo-Indian four poser beds we have ever come across.
This bed will fit a standard UK king size mattress size (5ft wide by 6ft 6” long) if the slats are lowered (please see section “Lowering the Slats” below for further information). If you prefer to use a larger mattress, we could supply a custom 5ft 7” wide x 6ft 6” long mattress.
The bed incorporates a two-tier structure, with a triple carved floral panel headboard, flanked by a bank of ring turned spindles below a moulded headboard top rail incorporating foliate scroll carving and central floral carving. The headboard boasts a spectacular crown, which incorporates floral open fretwork carving, along with gilt carved initials ‘R N D’, topped with a crown and flanked by rampant lion and unicorn. The bed incorporates moulded rails to the headboard and footboard, as well as moulded side rails and a footboard rail with blind fretwork floral carvings on a pitted background; the footboard also boasting a central floral carving. The two-tier footboard incorporates multiple ring-turned spindles below a horizontal floral carved turned rail. Above the bed frame, four floral carved on pitted background and vine carved tapered posts support a protruding dentil moulded canopy, which is also adorned with ribbed moulding and further blind fretwork floral carvings on a pitted background. The bed terminates on foliate carved cabriole legs, which display angel figureheads, ‘C’ scrolls brackets, scroll toes and resting on pad feet. 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 king size 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 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 = 218.8cm or 86⅛” or 7ft 2⅛”
External length = 232.7cm or 91⅝” or 7ft 7⅝”
External width = 184cm or 72⅜” or 6ft ⅜”
Headboard height (including Crown) = 159.7cm or 62⅞” or 5ft 2⅞”
Headboard height (excluding Crown) = 117cm or 46” or 3ft 10”
Footboard height = 88.9cm or 35” or 2ft 11”
Height from floor to top of side rails = 60.2cm or 23¾” or 1ft 11¾”
Side rail depth = 12.7cm or 5”
Maximum Mattress Opening (slats not lowered):
Length = 208.5cm or 82” or 6ft 10”
Width (slats) = 164.3cm or 64⅝” or 5ft 4⅝”
Width (including side rails) = 171cm or 67⅜” or 5ft 7⅜”
Maximum Mattress Opening (slats lowered):
Length = 208.5cm or 82” or 6ft 10”
Width = 161.7cm or 63⅝” or 5ft 3⅝”
Condition Report:
This Colonial king size 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 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 head and footboard joints have been glued; therefore, the bed frame is solid. This bed, which retains the original polish and patination, boasts a stunning colour. It has been French polished by hand in our workshop to a professional standard. It is extremely difficult to replicate this colour and patination with furniture that has been stripped and re-polished. 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. 46345 / A263