As early as 1833, J.C. Loudon in his Encyclopedia was singing the praises of the wrought or cast iron bedstead, partly because they were less likely to 'harbour vermin', and partly because of their cheapness. The iron beds were made in a variety of designs stump beds (with short ends not intended to have curtains), tent beds, half tester and four-poster beds.

The early iron beds were usually fairly plain, except perhaps for the brass knobs at the top of each post. With the advances in manufacturing techniques during ,the 19th century, the beds became more elaborate. Some were made of solid brass, others of iron coated with brass. The cast-iron beds were usually painted black or sometimes white, but assumed more and more decorative features. Brass circles, fitted with glass or mirrors, brass sleeves, brass or painted china spindles (known to the trade as 'porcelains'), more...

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A large and very impressive carved cedar and rose-mahogany…

A large and very impressive carved cedar and rose-mahogany four-poster bed. Australian circa 1845. unusually supported by cast iron brackets with wood wheels to aid in mobility and ease of bed-making. Provenance: The Collection of Graham and Elizabeth…

Austrian painted metal parcel-gilt single bed, late 19th…

Austrian painted metal parcel-gilt single bed, late 19th century, pistachio coloured, surrmounted by central crowned figure flanked by two mermaids, above scrolls and tassels, with central medallion, height 150 cm, length 197 cm, depth 96 cm; 192 x 94 cm,…

Austrian painted metal and parcel-gilt single bed, late 19th…

Austrian painted metal and parcel-gilt single bed, late 19th century, dark rifle green, surrmounted by central crowned figure flanked by two mermaids, above scrolls and tassels, central medallion with gilt birds butterflies and foliage, height 153 cm,…

Wonderful cast iron double bed, set with gilt roundels to top…

Gilded White Cast Iron Double Bed with Roundel Accents

Wonderful cast iron double bed, set with gilt roundels to top of each post, in a white finish with gilt accents

A brass and cast iron Queen size bed frame, 154 cm high, 204 cm…

Brass and Cast Iron Queen Bed Frame

A brass and cast iron Queen size bed frame, 154 cm high, 204 cm wide, 150 cm deep

Two French childrens beds, painted iron frame on castors with…

French Striped Cotton Upholstered Iron Children's Beds

Two French childrens beds, painted iron frame on castors with French striped cotton upholstery. France, c 1800s, 116 cm high, 91.5 cm wide, 191 cm deep.

A cast iron and brass bed frame, 19th century, the double ended…

19th Century Queen Size Cast Iron Bed Frame

A cast iron and brass bed frame, 19th century, the double ended Queen size bed frame, stamped a Cme to cast iron frame, painted ivory, comes with side rails, no base. Height 175 cm, width 155 cm, (bed head)

Colonial double bed ends, blackwood and eucalypt, Tasmanian…

Tasmanian Colonial Blackwood Double Bed

Colonial double bed ends, blackwood and eucalypt, Tasmanian origin, early to mid 19th century, with later iron rails, 122 cm high, 132 cm wide

A Louis XV style gilt metal mounted Queen size bed

Gilt Metal Queen Bed in Louis XV Style

A Louis XV style gilt metal mounted Queen size bed

A brass bed head, 183 wide x 113 h

Brass Bed Head: Elegant and Timeless Design

A brass bed head, 183 wide x 113 h

An antique brass and iron double bed with floral porcelain…

Floral Porcelain Decorated Antique Brass Double Bed

An antique brass and iron double bed with floral porcelain decoration, late 19th early 20th century, 175 cm high, 138 cm wide, 196 cm long

A superb Louis XV style French bed, consisting of an impressive…

Louis XV Style Marquetry Inlaid French Bed

A superb Louis XV style French bed, consisting of an impressive marquetry inlaid head board with gilt metal mounts, a matching end board and side rails. C. 1900 complete with base supports, height 158 cm, width 148 cm, length 200 cm.

A salesman's sample folding iron bed with original mattress and…

19th Century Folding Iron Bed with Mattress and Quilt

A salesman's sample folding iron bed with original mattress and additional quilt, 19th century, 37 cm high, 56 cm wide, 27 cm deep

French Second Empire cast iron folding campaign bed, 3rd…

19th Century French Folding Campaign Bed

French Second Empire cast iron folding campaign bed, 3rd quarter of the 19th century

Antique fold away iron & brass bed 193 cm long set up, 62 cm…

Antique Iron & Brass Fold-Away Bed - 193 cm Long

Antique fold away iron & brass bed 193 cm long set up, 62 cm wide

A fine Napoleon III Queen size bed, circa 1870, in carved ebony,…

Napoleon III Ebony Queen Bed with Parquetry Cartouche

A fine Napoleon III Queen size bed, circa 1870, in carved ebony, satinwood and brass inlaid, the foot featuring a parquetry cartouche of birds nesting, 170 cm high (head), 139 cm wide, 311 cm long

A Napoleon style double bed with brass inlay and mounts

Brass-Inlaid Napoleon-Style Double Bed

A Napoleon style double bed with brass inlay and mounts

A convict folding iron bed, Tasmanian origin, 19th century, 190…

Tasmanian Convict Iron Bed, 19th Century

A convict folding iron bed, Tasmanian origin, 19th century, 190 cm long

Antique brass double bed comprising of bed ends, rails and a…

Antique Brass Double Bed with Solid Slat Frame

Antique brass double bed comprising of bed ends, rails and a solid slat frame base, approximate mattress maximum size 145 cm x 195 cm

Antique French forged iron screen / bed head, made from part of…

Forged Iron Paris Bridge Screen/Bed Head - Antique

Antique French forged iron screen / bed head, made from part of a Paris bridge, 220 cm wide, 124 cm high

A rectangular linen double bed head with metal stud detail

Linen Double Bed Head with Metal Stud Detail

A rectangular linen double bed head with metal stud detail

An Edwardian double bed in huon pine with, two panelled…

Edwardian Huon Pine Double Bed with Cast Iron Rails

An Edwardian double bed in huon pine with, two panelled decoration, on head & foot, includes cast iron rails, height 136 cm, length 215 cm, depth 152 cm

An antique metal double bed, black painted with silvered…

Silvered Antique Double Bed - 172cm High

An antique metal double bed, black painted with silvered details, 172 cm high,

A brass single bed, and an antique cast iron single bed, the…

Antique Single Beds: Brass and Cast Iron

A brass single bed, and an antique cast iron single bed, the brass bed 134 cm high, 102 cm wide, 203 cm long. The other 129 cm high,

A fine Louis XVI style mahogany and brass inlaid double bed,…

Mahogany and Brass Inlaid Louis XVI Double Bed

A fine Louis XVI style mahogany and brass inlaid double bed, late 19th century, with rails and slats, with an arching crest and fluted side pillars with cast fruit finials, finely, inlaid with trophies, scrolling acanthus and formal urn style decorations,…

Victorian cast iron powder coated bed, with rails

Victorian Cast Iron Bed with Rails

Victorian cast iron powder coated bed, with rails

Victorian double brass bed 135 cm, x 193 cm, (inside dimension),…

Victorian Brass Double Bed - 135x193cm, 150cm high

Victorian double brass bed 135 cm, x 193 cm, (inside dimension), 210 cm, x 145 cm, 150 cm, high (outside dimension)

Couch/day bed, Regency designed cast iron, made by a Simpson…

Regency Cast Iron Daybed by Simpson and Son, Adelaide

Couch/day bed, Regency designed cast iron, made by a Simpson and Son, Adelaide c1890, sprung base and elegant form with single end, nicely worked and of a restrained decoration, length 187 cm

Antique ornate painted cast iron dolls' bed, with brass accent…

Antique Cast Iron Dolls' Bed with Brass Accents

Antique ornate painted cast iron dolls' bed, with brass accent on castors, 80 cm height, 68 cm length, 44 cm width

A French mahogany and brass inlaid bed, circa 1880s. 136 cm…

French Mahogany Inlaid Bed, 1880s

A French mahogany and brass inlaid bed, circa 1880s. 136 cm wide, 153.5 cm high

A French mahogany and brass inlaid bed, circa 1870. 190 cm wide,…

French Inlaid Mahogany Brass Bed, 1870

A French mahogany and brass inlaid bed, circa 1870. 190 cm wide, 183 cm deep, the bedhead 144 cm high

A Louis Philippe period cast iron bed c1840

Louis Philippe Cast Iron Bed c1840

A Louis Philippe period cast iron bed c1840

A 19th century brass and iron 'Propellor' double bed

Antique Propellor Brass and Iron Double Bed

A 19th century brass and iron 'Propellor' double bed

A double bed, Edwardian, in square section brass, complete with…

Edwardian Brass Double Bed with Rails - 144cm Width

A double bed, Edwardian, in square section brass, complete with rails. Width 144 cm

An exceptional and rare Empire period brass bed French, circa…

Rare Empire Period Brass Bed, French, Circa 1820

An exceptional and rare Empire period brass bed French, circa 1820 177 cm high, 190 cm wide, 227 cm long

An Edwardian brass double bed. 134 cm high, 140 cm wide

Edwardian Brass Double Bed - 134x140 cm

An Edwardian brass double bed. 134 cm high, 140 cm wide

A French rosewood double bed, late 19th to early 20th century,…

Louis XVI Rosewood Double Bed

A French rosewood double bed, late 19th to early 20th century, with restrained Louis XVI influence, the elegantly framed arched bed head flanked by fluted pillars and brass pomegranate finials and raised on toupie feet, the rectangular end board of…

A Henri II style 19th century walnut bedstead. Queen size, the…

19th Century Walnut Bedstead with Brass and Copper Accents

A Henri II style 19th century walnut bedstead. Queen size, the head and foot each with brass uprights and splats, inset signed panel with copper foliate decoration. 150 cm wide.

A Victorian brass double bed, second half 19th century, the…

Victorian Brass Double Bed

A Victorian brass double bed, second half 19th century, the square form bed with finials to the posts and enclosing a series of slender rods with knopped embellishments, the end conforming and with associated rails. Height 146 cm (bed head) and 106 cm…

Salesman Sample miniature iron bed with fold down sides, 19th…

19th Century Miniature Iron Bed with Fold Down Sides

Salesman Sample miniature iron bed with fold down sides, 19th century. 36 cm high, 45 cm wide, 27 cm deep

Victorian cast iron and brass double bedstead

Victorian Brass and Cast Iron Double Bed

Victorian cast iron and brass double bedstead

Antique single cast iron bed

Vintage Cast Iron Bed

Antique single cast iron bed

A Napoleon III mahogany bed, later 19th century, withEmpire…

Napoleon III Mahogany Bed with Empire Styling

A Napoleon III mahogany bed, later 19th century, withEmpire styling, the elegant bed in two toned mahogany, with a simple panelled frieze trimmed in brass above a larger panel inset with deeper toned mahogany and small brass paterae embellishments, with…

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. 246 cm high, 216 cm wide, 166 cm deep Reference: Decorative Ironwork, Umberto Zimelli & Giovanni Vergerio, Paul Hamlyn, England, 1969, pp 58-9

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. 235 cm high, 206 cm wide, 154 cm deep

Rare Victorian all brass double bedstead with rails & slat base

Victorian Brass Double Bedstead with Rails and Slat Base

Rare Victorian all brass double bedstead with rails & slat base

Antique French Empire iron & polished steel bed, approx 95 cm…

French Empire Iron & Steel Bed - Antique

Antique French Empire iron & polished steel bed, approx 95 cm high, 207 cm long, 130 cm wide

Pair of antique brass inlaid beds, each approx 140 cm high, 203…

Antique Brass Inlaid Beds - Pair

Pair of antique brass inlaid beds, each approx 140 cm high, 203 cm long, 117 cm wide (2)

Austrian 19th century metal bedstead with cast iron mermaid…

Mermaid Metal Bedstead with Serpent Feet

Austrian 19th century metal bedstead with cast iron mermaid decoration to tops and serpent feet, no rails

Antique European walnut single bed with gilt metal mounts,…

European Walnut Bed with Gilt Metal Mounts

Antique European walnut single bed with gilt metal mounts, approx 117 cm high, 206 cm long, 103 cm wide

Pair of antique painted metal bed ends, approx 138 cm high and…

Antique painted metal bed ends, 138 cm high

Pair of antique painted metal bed ends, approx 138 cm high and smaller

A Louis XV style Boulle manner ebonised and cut brass inlaid…

Boulle Style Ebonised Bed with Cut Brass Inlay

A Louis XV style Boulle manner ebonised and cut brass inlaid bed the serpentine bed head with buttoned velvet upholstery, the whole ornately inlaid with cut brass panels, gilt metal mounts, 204 cm long, 80 cm wide

A brass double bed, English, 19th century, 210 cm long, 140 cm…

Antique English Brass Double Bed - 19th Century

A brass double bed, English, 19th century, 210 cm long, 140 cm wide

A French mahogany Louis XVI style bed, circa 1920s, gently…

Louis XVI Mahogany Bed with Gilt Bronze Details

A French mahogany Louis XVI style bed, circa 1920s, gently arched with a central gilt bronze festoon, having quarter veneer panels below with cross banding and stringing, the end board conforming, with additional gilt bronze pendant motifs to the edges…

Antique French iron bed

French Iron Antique Bed

Antique French iron bed

Impressive antique French carved walnut bed with brass tubular…

French Walnut Bed with Brass Tubular Surround

Impressive antique French carved walnut bed with brass tubular surround, approx 144 cm wide

A French burr walnut veneer bed, circa 1925, with both Art Deco…

French Art Deco Burr Walnut Bed with Empire Influences

A French burr walnut veneer bed, circa 1925, with both Art Deco and Empire influences, the refined rectangular bed with generous gilt metal foliate swags and a central foliate and floral embellishment, the bed end of breakfront form with a concave…

Antique French mahogany brass bound bed of large size inner…

Antique French Brass Bound Mahogany Bed, Large Size

Antique French mahogany brass bound bed of large size inner measurements, 144 cm

Antique French painted metal bed

French Painted Metal Bed

Antique French painted metal bed