Summary:

• Item: Victorian king size four poster bed
• Circa: 1880
• Period: Victorian
• Provenance: India
• Wood: Sissoo
• Maximum mattress opening: 5ft 8” wide by 6ft 9½” long
• Fits a UK king size mattress (5ft wide by 6ft 6” long) if slats are lowered
• Luxury quality mattresses available
• Single tier structure
• Protruding moulded canopy
• Four elegant tapered & turned posts
• Lion & unicorn crown
• Arched headboard with triple floral carved panels
• Turned spindles to headboard & footboard
• Moulded side rails & frame
• Stunning quality carvings
• Turned legs
• Dismantles for easy transportation and access
• Original polish & patination
• Rich dark red & brown colours
• 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 Victorian 5ft 8-inch four poster bed, of colonial Raj Anglo-Indian origin, circa 1880, in excellent original condition.  This Victorian four poster bed will fit a custom size mattress up to 5ft 8” wide by 6ft 9” long if the slats remain at their original height.   If you prefer to fit a standard UK king size mattress (5ft 6” wide by 6ft 6” long), this is possible by lowering the slats (please see section “Lowering the Slats” below for further information).

The level of detail and craftmanship displayed in the materials, construction and carving of this Victorian four poster bed is second to none.  The headboard incorporates three floral pierced fretwork carved panels, flanked by turned spindles, with decorative moulding running the length of the moulded headboard frame.  A decorative “lion & unicorn” floral pierced fretwork carved crown sits atop of the headboard.

The Victorian 5ft 8-inch four poster 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 turned & tapered posts support a moulded dovetail canopy.

The king size four poster bed terminates on substantial turned legs.  This Victorian 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 Victorian 5ft 8-inch four poster 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.

Condition Report:

This is a fine quality antique Victorian 5ft 8-inch four poster bed, of colonial Raj Anglo-Indian origin, circa 1880, which will fit a standard UK king size mattress (5ft wide by 6ft 6” long) with the slats lowered, in excellent original condition.  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.  It is rare to find antique four poster beds which will fit a modern standard 5ft king size mattress.  The four-poster bed assembles together and all bolts and screws are in good condition.  This Victorian 5ft 8-inch four poster bed is well constructed, solid in joint and ready to use.

Dimensions:

External Dimensions:
External height = 223cm / 87¾” / 7ft 3¾”
External length = 230cm / 90½” / 7ft 6½”
External width (canopy) = 182.5cm / 71⅞” / 6ft
Headboard height (including crown) = 165cm / 65” / 5ft 5”
Headboard height (excluding crown) = 121.5cm / 47⅞” / 4ft 0⅞”
Footboard height = 88cm / 34⅝” / 2ft 10⅝”
Height from floor to top of side rails = 58.5cm / 23” / 1ft 11”
Side rail length = 198cm / 78⅜” / 6ft 6⅜”
Side rail depth = 13.5cm / 5¼”

Maximum Mattress Opening (slats not lowered):
Length = 207cm / 81½” / 6ft 9½”
Width (slats) = 164cm / 64½” / 5ft 4½”
Width (including side rails) = 173cm / 68” / 5ft 8”

Maximum Mattress Opening (slats lowered):
Length = 207cm / 81½” / 6ft 9½”
Width = 150.5cm / 59¼” / 4ft 11¼”

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. 82563 / A228