These items have been sold, and the description, image and price ($US) are for reference purposes only.

Until late Victorian times, the four-poster or canopy bed was regarded as an essential possession for any family of substance and was frequently the most expensive piece of household furniture. Elizabethan and Jacobean beds have heavily carved and turned foot posts, often with melon or cup-and-cover turnings, with the canopy or tester constructed of wood. During the Georgian and Regency periods, the timber posts became much more slender and finely turned, although the draperies were often quite lavish and fantastic. Turnings on Victorian beds, in line with overall trends, were much heavier and more baluster shaped. In general, the foot posts were more ornate than the head posts, and the curtain rails may be square, arched or sometimes domed.The heads of many of the beds were of unpolished timber, intended to be covered by curtaining. Therefore any four poster beds with a polished headboard should be more... carefully examined.

Many Australian four-poster beds of the period survive, both in cedar and rosewood, often featuring rope twist turnings on the foot posts. The headboards were often serpentine shaped or scalloped, and the typical colonial bed features a 'rolling pin' turning on the raised central section of the headboard.

Unlike the 'standard', 'queen' and 'king' sizes of modern beds, there was no standard width for antique beds, as mattresses were individually made. The length and/or width of many antique beds has been changed to accommodate modern mattress sizes.

During the second half of the 19th century, the timber four-poster beds tended to be displaced by the brass and iron beds which were very much cheaper and rather more of a novelty. In the present century, however, fears that the bed curtains harboured disease, as well no doubt the change in fashion, led to many people cutting down the high posts of the traditional bedsteads. less...

An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood four-post bed, late 19th…
19th Century Anglo-Indian Hardwood Four-Post Bed with Floral Carvings

An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood four-post bed, late 19th century profusely carved throughout with flowers, trailing foliage and C-scrolls, with an arched headboard with above turned spindles, with spiral-turned tapering posts with capitals, plain sides an

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An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood four-post bed, late 19th…
19th Century Anglo-Indian Hardwood Four-Post Bed with Intricate Carvings

An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood four-post bed, late 19th century profusely carved throughout with foliage, flower heads and C-scrolls, the arched headboard with pierced oval panel above spindles, with plain sides, spiral-turned tapering posts with capital

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An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood four-post bed, late 19th…
19th Century Anglo-Indian Carved Hardwood Four-Post Bed

An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood four-post bed, late 19th century profusely carved throughout with flowers, trailing foliage and scrolls, the arched headboard with pierced panel with small mirror crest flanked by a lion and horse above spindles, with spira

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An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood four-post bed, late 19th…
19th Century Anglo-Indian Hardwood Carved Four-Post Bed

An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood four-post bed, late 19th century profusely carved throughout with flowers, foliage and scrolls, the arched headboard with pierced panel with small mirror crest flanked by a lion and horse above spindles, with spiral-turned

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An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood Four-Post bed, late 19th…
19th Century Anglo-Indian Hardwood Four-Post Bed with Intricate Carvings

An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood Four-Post bed, late 19th century profusely carved throughout with flowers, foliage and scrolls, the arched headboard with pierced panel with small mirror crest flanked by a lion and horse above spindles, with spiral-turned

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A large cedar four-poster Tester bed, Australian circa 1845,…
Australian Cedar Four-Poster Tester Bed, Circa 1845

A large cedar four-poster Tester bed, Australian circa 1845, large turned column uprights,

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A cedar single tester bed, Australian circa 1855, spiral carved…
1855 Australian Cedar Single Tester Bed with Spiral Carved Columns

A cedar single tester bed, Australian circa 1855, spiral carved columns

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A cedar four posted single tester bed, Australian circa 1855,…
Australian Cedar Four-Poster Single Tester Bed, circa 1855

A cedar four posted single tester bed, Australian circa 1855, Canopy 51.97 in. wide and 83.46 in. long

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A cedar four-poster bed, Australian, circa 1845, with canopy,…
1845 Australian Cedar Four-Poster Bed with Canopy, 132cm Wide

A cedar four-poster bed, Australian, circa 1845, with canopy, approx. 51.97 in. wide

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A very impressive Australian cedar and rose-mahogany four…
Australian Cedar and Rose-Mahogany Four Poster Bed, circa 1835

A very impressive Australian cedar and rose-mahogany four poster bed, Australian, circa 1835. with rope twist turned posts. all round, double acanthus leaf carving, carved feet and feather carved bolt covers, with 'Thomas Hope', scroll, . Provenance: Swan,

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An impressive finely carved cedar and rose mahogany four-poster…
Exquisite Australian Cedar and Rose Mahogany Four-Poster Bed

An impressive finely carved cedar and rose mahogany four-poster bed. Australian circa 1845. with cartouche to the top. Provenance: The collection of Graham and Elizabeth Cocks Bonhams Sydney November 2012 lot 198. Reference:Kevin Fahy and Andrew Simpson Au

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An impressive Victorian mahogany full tester bed, the barley…
Victorian Mahogany Full Tester Bed with Carved Details and Coat of Arms

An impressive Victorian mahogany full tester bed, the barley twist posts with carved detail, the head and footboards with turned and decorative spindles and carved embellishments, the headboard with the addition of a carved wood coat of arms, with sideboar

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An early Victorian figured mahogany tester bed, circa 1840,…
Victorian Mahogany Tester Bed with Silk Canopy, 1840

An early Victorian figured mahogany tester bed, circa 1840, with some later elements, the full-length tester with moulded cornice and handing rods raised on turned and reeded supports flanking a shaped and panelled footboard and reeded rectangular supports

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An Anglo Indian ebony four poster bed; 19th century and later,…
19th Century Anglo Indian Ebony Four Poster Bed

An Anglo Indian ebony four poster bed; 19th century and later, the four elaborately turned and reeded uprights joined by a headboard with shaped cresting and spindle turned rail, and footboard with lattice panel; supporting a slightly arched canopy. Lenght

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Antique full four poster bed 210 cm x 151 cm, 235 cm high
Antique Four Poster Bed - 235cm High

Antique full four poster bed 82.68 in. x 59.45 in., 92.52 in. high

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An English mahogany half tester bed, 19th century, 220 cm high,…
19th Century English Mahogany Half Tester Bed

An English mahogany half tester bed, 19th century, 86.61 in. high, 60.24 in. wide, 94.09 in. deep

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An Australian cedar four poster double bed with Rolling-Pin…
Late 19th Century Australian Cedar Four Poster Bed

An Australian cedar four poster double bed with Rolling-Pin surmount. Late 19th century, height 74.80 in.

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Victorian mahogany 4 poster farmhouse double bed with rolling…
Victorian 4-Poster Mahogany Farmhouse Double Bed

Victorian mahogany 4 poster farmhouse double bed with rolling pin ends

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Australian Colonial cedar half tester bed, Tasmania, late 19th…
Australian Colonial Cedar Half Tester Bed

Australian Colonial cedar half tester bed, Tasmania, late 19th century, the moulded tester with a floral cotton roof and a pair of matching curtains, the footboard with carved medallion depicting pears and berries, height 87.40 in. width 83.86 in. depth…

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Early 19th century Tasmanian four poster bed mattress measures…
Antique Tasmanian Four Poster Bed and Mattress

Early 19th century Tasmanian four poster bed mattress measures 53.15 in. x 74.80 in. four poster measures 91.73 in. high, 55.91 in. x 82.68 in. long.

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Colonial cedar and blackwood single farmhouse four poster bed
Cedar & Blackwood Farmhouse Four Poster Bed

Colonial cedar and blackwood single farmhouse four poster bed

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Early 20th century 4 poster bed a/f, 130 cm wide, 211 cm long
Antique 4 Poster Bed, Early 20th Century, 130x211cm

Early 20th century 4 poster bed a/f, 51.18 in. wide, 83.07 in. long

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19th century cedar farmhouse four poster bed
Cedar Four Poster Bed from 19th Century Farmhouse

19th century cedar farmhouse four poster bed

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19th century cedar & blackwood 4 poster farmhouse bed
Cedar & Blackwood 4 Poster Farmhouse Bed - 19th Century

19th century cedar & blackwood 4 poster farmhouse bed

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Colonial style four poster bed, comprising two antique original…
Antique Colonial Four Poster Bed

Colonial style four poster bed, comprising two antique original elaborately turned and carved posts, the remainder adapted later, lacking headboard, height 86.61 in., width 150, depth 198

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Pair of four poster Queensland maple single beds mid 20th…
Mid-century Queensland maple four poster single bed

Pair of four poster Queensland maple single beds mid 20th century, one bed only shown in image, width 106.5, height 57.48 in., with side irons

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Regency mahogany four poster bed, height 238 cm width 196 cm…
Regency Mahogany Four Poster Bed - Grand and Elegant

Regency mahogany four poster bed, height 93.70 in. width 77.17 in. depth 48.03 in.

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Colonial Australian cedar & NSW rosewood four poster canopy bed…
Antique Canopy Bed with Carved Decoration (c1850)

Colonial Australian cedar & NSW rosewood four poster canopy bed with acanthus & classical carved decoration (c1850). Provenance: Osborne Family double Bay NSW)

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An Edwardian double side four poster bed, with red lacquer…
Red Chinoiserie Double Poster Bed

An Edwardian double side four poster bed, with red lacquer Chinoiserie decoration, height 89.37 in., width 55.12 in., length 81.50 in.

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Colonial blackwood four poster double farmhouse bed with shaped…
Blackwood Farmhouse Four Poster Bed with Bullseye Decoration

Colonial blackwood four poster double farmhouse bed with shaped ends & bullseye decoration

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A fine Tasmanian huon pine four poster double bed, circa 1845
1845 Tasmanian Huon Pine Four Poster Double Bed

A fine Tasmanian huon pine four poster double bed, circa 1845

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Antique mid 19th century Australian Colonial cedar four poster…
19th Century Australian Colonial Cedar Four Poster Bed

Antique mid 19th century Australian Colonial cedar four poster bed, fitted with shaped back board, canopy top, well carved turned posts, drapery included, 84.65 in. high, 80.71 in. long, 59.06 in. wide (bolt tool in office)

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A George III mahogany four poster canopy bed
Mahogany Four Poster Canopy Bed - George III Style

A George III mahogany four poster canopy bed

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Antique Aberglasslyn House bed, important most elaborate cedar…
Elaborate Cedar Four Post Bed, C1840

Antique Aberglasslyn House bed, important most elaborate cedar four post bed, This bed has been described by experts as an outstanding example of early Australian Furniture. It is of commanding proportions. The tapering baluster and reeded posts are decora

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Huon pine four poster bed. Fine Australian huon & birdseye huon…
Huon Pine Four Poster Bed

Huon pine four poster bed. Fine Australian huon & birdseye huon pine bed Tasmania c1860 shaped canopy with Curtain Rods above a pair of octagonal posts with Elaborately carved capitals ex the Dale Frank collection (Bonham roll) reference: Australian Furnit

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A huon pine half tester bed, Australian, circa 1860, approx.…
1860 Australian Huon Pine Half Tester Bed

A huon pine half tester bed, Australian, circa 1860, approx. 103.94 in. high, 80.71 in. wide, 64.17 in. deep

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A cedar four poster bed, Australian, circa 1880, approx. 160 cm…
Cedar Four Poster Bed, Australian, Circa 1880

A cedar four poster bed, Australian, circa 1880, approx. 62.99 in. high, 83.86 in. wide, 39.37 in. deep

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Colonial kauri half tester bed
Kauri Colonial Half Tester Bed

Colonial kauri half tester bed

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Antique mahogany half tester double bed.
Mahogany Half Tester Double Bed - Antique

Antique mahogany half tester double bed.

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A English mahogany four post tester bed in the Sheraton style,…
Sheraton-style Mahogany Four-Post Tester Bed

A English mahogany four post tester bed in the Sheraton style, 20th century. 98.43 in. high, 66.93 in. wide, 82.68 in. deep

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Four poster modern double bed and new mattress Ex Poco design…
Modern Four Poster Double Bed with New Mattress

Four poster modern double bed and new mattress Ex Poco design Sydney

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An exceptional bronze mounted forged iron four poster bed,…
17th Century Italian Bronze Mounted Four Poster Bed

An exceptional bronze mounted forged iron four poster bed, Italian, early 17th century. 96.85 in. high, 85.04 in. wide, 65.35 in. deep Reference: Decorative Ironwork, Umberto Zimelli & Giovanni Vergerio, Paul Hamlyn, England, 1969, pp 58-9

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A fine and rare forged iron four poster bed, Italian, 17th…
17th Century Italian Forged Iron Four Poster Bed

A fine and rare forged iron four poster bed, Italian, 17th century. 92.52 in. high, 81.10 in. wide, 60.63 in. deep

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Early Victorian mahogany half tester bed 6 feet, the canopy…
Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed with Brocade Decoration

Early Victorian mahogany half tester bed 6 feet, the canopy with moulded cornice above the turned curtain rail with finial supports. The foot finely carved and moulded with a central oval panel flanked by turned and carved bed posts, raised on bun feet wit

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Antique walnut full tester bed 217 cm long, 161 cm wide, 233 cm…
Antique Walnut Full Tester Bed for 190x152cm Mattress

Antique walnut full tester bed 85.43 in. long, 63.39 in. wide, 91.73 in. high approx, to fit mattress size 74.80 in. x 59.84 in. approx

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Pair of 19th century cedar farmhouse four poster bed ends
19th Century Cedar Farmhouse Four Poster Bed Ends Pair

Pair of 19th century cedar farmhouse four poster bed ends

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Colonial cedar single four poster bed with turned columns,…
Cedar Four Poster Bed, c1860

Colonial cedar single four poster bed with turned columns, c1860. Height 79.53 in., width 48.82 in.

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A cedar 4 poster bed with finely turned barley twist columns &…
Cedar 4 Poster Bed with Barley Twist Columns & Scrolling Headboard

A cedar 4 poster bed with finely turned barley twist columns & Thomas Hope scrolling headboard, c1840. 87.80 in. x 57.48 in. x 81.10 in. Provenance: Sir Rupert & Lady Steel.

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An oak four poster canopy queen size bed, German, 19th century,…
19th Century German Oak Canopy Bed with Side Sconces

An oak four poster canopy queen size bed, German, 19th century, with applied cresting and cartouches upholstered in maroon pleated linen and side curtains with attached electrified side sconces, together with paisley cushions and throw, 101.18 in. high,…

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A large Victorian carved oak tester bed, English, 19th century.…
Victorian Carved Oak Tester Bed

A large Victorian carved oak tester bed, English, 19th century. 95.67 in. high, 61.02 in. wide and 84.25 in. deep

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19th century cedar half tester bed
Cedar Half Tester Bed from the 19th Century

19th century cedar half tester bed

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A cream painted Georgian style four poster bed, 234 cm high,…
Georgian-style Cream Four Poster Bed - Elegant and Spacious

A cream painted Georgian style four poster bed, 92.13 in. high, 81.89 in. wide and 75.98 in. deep

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A Georgian style cream and brown painted four poster bed, with…
Georgian Style Cream and Brown Four Poster Bed

A Georgian style cream and brown painted four poster bed, with adjustable candle branches, 87.80 in. high, 58.27 in. wide and 75.98 in. deep

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A Victorian reproduction mahogany four poster bed
Mahogany Victorian Four Poster Bed Replica

A Victorian reproduction mahogany four poster bed

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A 19th century painted and gilt four poster bed, 209 x 275.5 x…
Painted and Gilt Four Poster Bed (19th Century)

A 19th century painted and gilt four poster bed, 82.28 in. x 108.46 in. x 61.22 in.

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An impressive late 19th early 20th century Sri Lankan Colonial…
Sri Lankan Colonial Canopy Bed

An impressive late 19th early 20th century Sri Lankan Colonial four poster canopy bed, the folding canopy supported by tapered faceted supports, the bed head with scroll molded crest and back 68.90 in. width, 83.86 in. long, 17.72 in. (from floor to base)

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Four poster carved pine bed
Carved Pine Four Poster Bed

Four poster carved pine bed

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A mid Victorian flame mahogany half tester bedstead, the arched…
Victorian Flame Mahogany Half Tester Bedstead

A mid Victorian flame mahogany half tester bedstead, the arched carved top, above a padded back with floral upholstery 90.55 in. high, 54.33 in. wide, 86.61 in. deep.

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19th century cedar and blackwood bed, four poster, farmhouse…
Farmhouse Four Poster Bed in Cedar and Blackwood

19th century cedar and blackwood bed, four poster, farmhouse style

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An impressive Colonial kauri & burr totara banded half tester…
Colonial Kauri & Burr Totara Half Tester Double Bed

An impressive Colonial kauri & burr totara banded half tester double bed, headboard and footboard, wooden base and mattress, both ends padded and upholstered. Extensive use of turned galleries and finials. Height 92.52 in.

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A mahogany half tester bed, English, mid 19th century
Mid 19th Century English Mahogany Half Tester Bed

A mahogany half tester bed, English, mid 19th century

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