Summary:
• Circa: 1880
• Period: Victorian
• Provenance: India
• Wood: Sissoo
• Maximum mattress opening: 5ft 9” wide by 6ft 9¼” long
• Fits a standard UK king size mattress (5ft wide x 6ft 6” long) with slats lowered
• Luxury quality custom mattresses available
• Rich brown 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
• Dark rich 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 9” wide Victorian colonial Raj 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 9” wide by 6ft 9¼” long, therefore a standard 5ft wide mattress will fit. We also supply custom size mattresses, if you prefer 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, the bed boasts a rich dark 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 supply 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 = 209cm or 82¼” or 6ft 10¼”
External Width = 187.2cm or 73¾” or 6ft 1¾”
External Length = 227.2cm or 89½” or 7ft 5½”
Headboard Height (Including Crown) = 155.4cm or 61⅛” or 5ft 1⅛”
Headboard Height (Excluding Crown) = 112.7cm or 44⅜” or 3ft 8⅜”
Footboard Height = 81.4cm or 32” or 2ft 6”
Height from Floor to Top of Side Rails = 51.5cm or 20¼” or 1ft 8¼”
Side Rail Depth = 12.6cm or 5”
Maximum Mattress Opening (slats not lowered):
Length = 206.5cm or 81¼” or 6ft 9¼”
Width (slats) = 165.4cm or 65⅛” or 5ft 5⅛”
Width (including side rails) = 175.2cm or 69” or 5ft 9”
Maximum Mattress Opening (slats lowered):
Length = 206.5cm or 81¼” or 6ft 9¼”
Width (slats) = 163.3cm or 64⅛” or 5ft 4⅛”
Condition Report:
This colonial four poster bed is in excellent original condition, which is commensurate with its age. Some nominal old use marks and age-related wear to the leading edges, but nothing significant considering the age of the item. The bed structure has been tightened and the frame has been French polished by hand in our workshop to a professional standard. 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. A167