Summary:
• Circa: 1880
• Period: Victorian
• Provenance: India
• Wood: Sissoo
• Maximum mattress opening: 5ft 8⅛” wide by 6ft 11¼” long
• Fits a standard UK king size mattress (5ft wide x 6ft 6” long) with slats lowered
• Luxury quality custom mattresses available
• Black ebony colour
• Single tier structure
• Drop down bar canopy
• Four elegant turned tapered posts
• Foliate carvings to crown
• Arched spindle headboard
• Moulded footboard rail with turned spindles
• Moulded side rails & frame
• Stunning quality carvings
• Turned baluster legs
• Dismantles for easy transportation and access
• Original polish & patination
• Ebony style colour
• Excellent original condition
• Muslin draping service available
• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*
• Free-14 days UK returns policy
Description:
Here is a fine quality antique 5ft 8” wide Victorian colonial Raj king size four-poster bed, circa 1880, in excellent original condition. This bed will therefore fit a standard UK king size mattress size (5ft wide by 6ft 6” long) with the slats lowered (please see section “Lowering the Slats” below for further information). The maximum mattress opening is 5ft 8⅛” wide by ft 11¼” long, therefore a standard 5ft wide mattress will fit. We also supply custom size mattresses, if you preferred a larger mattress.
The bed incorporates a single-tier structure, with a single carved floral panel crown, above an arched & moulded headboard, supported by a bank turned spindles. The bed incorporates moulded side rails and rails to the head and footboard. To the bottom of the bed, the single-tier footboard incorporates multiple ring-turned spindles below a moulded turned rail. Above the bed frame, four ring turned tapered posts support a “drop-down” bar canopy. The bed terminates on ring turned baluster legs. The superstructure lends itself to being dressed with romantic fabric drapes.
Retaining the original polish and patination, this Victorian king size bed boasts a matt black colour, with a light matt finish. The bed is constructed of sissoo wood and has a superior structure. This antique four poster 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 centrepiece for any bedroom and is ideal for those who prefer a wider bed.
Provenance:
The style of these beds 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 = 213.4cm or 84” or 7ft
External Width = 185cm or 72⅞” or 6ft 0⅞”
External Length = 233cm or 91¾” or 7ft 7¾”
Headboard Height (Including Crown) = 148.5cm or 58½” or 4ft 10½”
Headboard Height (Excluding Crown) = 120cm or 47¼” or 3ft 11¼”
Footboard Height = 82.3cm or 32⅜” or 2ft 8⅜”
Height from Floor to Top of Side Rails = 53.5cm or 21” or 1ft 9”
Side Rail Depth = 11.5cm or 4½”
Maximum Mattress Opening (slats not lowered):
Length = 211.5cm or 83¼” or 6ft 11¼”
Width (slats) = 165cm or 65” or 5ft 5”
Width (including side rails) = 173cm or 68⅛” or 5ft 8⅛”
Maximum Mattress Opening (slats lowered):
Length = 211.5cm or 83¼” or 6ft 11¼”
Width (slats) = 162.5cm or 64” or 5ft 4”
Condition Report:
This antique 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. This bed, which retains the original polish and patination, boasts a black ebony colour, with a French polish finish. The bed is constructed of solid sissoo wood and boasts a superior structure. 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. A256 / 36065