Antique 5ft 8” Victorian Anglo-Indian Colonial Raj Super King Size Four Poster Bed (Circa 1870)

Summary:

• Item: Victorian four poster bed
• Circa: 1870
• Period: Victorian
• Provenance: India
• Wood: Sisoo
• Maximum mattress opening: 5ft 8½” wide by 6ft 9½”
• Choice of finial posts or moulded bar canopy
• Fits a standard UK king size mattress (5ft” wide x 6ft 6” long) if slats are lowered
• Luxury quality custom mattresses available
• Single tier structure
• Four elegant barley twist carved posts
• Floral carved crown
• Arched moulded headboard
• Foliate pierced fretwork headboard panel & spindles
• Turned 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 5ft 8” wide Victorian four poster bed, of Anglo-Indian Raj provenance, circa 1870, which will fit a standard UK king size mattress (5ft wide x 6ft 6” long), if the slats are lowered, in excellent original condition.  The Victorian four poster bed benefits from a high level of detail and craftmanship displayed in the materials, construction and carving of this colonial bed.  The design of this Anglo-Indian bed can be changed; you have the choice of finials on top of the posts, or a moulded bar canopy (please pictures).

The colonial bed incorporates a single carved floral panel headboard, interspersed by ring turned spindles, below a moulded headboard top rail which arches over a central foliate pierced fretwork panel. The headboard boasts a spectacular crown, which incorporates floral open fretwork carving, with an urn to the centre.  The Victorian four poster bed incorporates moulded rails to the headboard and footboard, as well as moulded side rails. The footboard incorporates multiple ring-turned spindles below a turned rail.  Above the bed frame, four barley twist posts support a protruding moulded canopy.   The bed terminates on substantial turned legs. This bed displays beautiful carvings throughout. The superstructure of the colonial bed lends itself to being dressed with romantic fabric drapes.

Retaining the original polish and patination, this Victorian four poster bed displays a rich red-brown colour, with a French polish finish. The bed is constructed of sissoo wood and has a superior structure. This 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.

Provenance:

The style of these four poster bed dates from 1840 until 1947 (until Indian Independence). The Victorian four poster bed were constructed for the British Raj, their families and the British Military in Colonial India. The colonial 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 (Canopy) = 220.5cm / 86⅞” / 7ft 2⅞”
External Height (Finials) = 226cm / 89” / 7ft 5”
External length = 230cm / 90½”/ 7ft 6½”
External width = 184cm / 72⅜” / 6ft 0⅜”
Headboard height (including Crown) = 159cm /
Headboard height (excluding Crown) = 118cm /
Footboard height = 87.5cm / 34½” / 2ft 10½”
Height from floor to top of side rails = 58cm / 22⅞” / 1ft 10⅞”
Side rail depth = 13.5cm / 5⅜”
Side rail length = 198cm

Maximum Mattress Opening (slats not lowered):

Length = 207.5cm / 81½”/ 6ft 9½”
Width (slats) = 164cm / 64½”/ 5ft 4½”
Width (including side rails) = 174cm / 68½” / 5ft 8½”

Maximum Mattress Opening (slats lowered):

Length = 207.5cm / 81½”/ 6ft 9½”
Width = 162cm / 63¾” / 5ft 3¾”

Condition Report:

This is a fine quality antique 5ft 8” wide Victorian four poster bed, of Anglo-Indian Raj provenance, circa 1870, which will fit a standard UK king size mattress (5ft wide x 6ft 6” long), if the slats are lowered, in excellent original condition.  Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, 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 intact, with no missing pieces or damage beyond the expected signs of age and historical use.  The Anglo-Indian bed assembles together and all bolts and screws are in good condition.  The colonial 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.

Ref. A230 / 68643