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...

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An antique Anglo-Indian hardwood Four-Post bed, late 19th…

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…

A large cedar four-poster Tester bed, Australian circa 1845,…

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

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

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

A cedar four posted single tester bed, Australian circa 1855,…

A cedar four posted single tester bed, Australian circa 1855, Canopy 132 cm wide and 212 cm long

A cedar four-poster bed, Australian, circa 1845, with canopy,…

A cedar four-poster bed, Australian, circa 1845, with canopy, approx. 132 cm wide

A very impressive Australian cedar and rose-mahogany four…

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…

An impressive finely carved cedar and rose mahogany four-poster…

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…

An impressive Victorian mahogany full tester bed, the barley…

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…

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…

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.…

Antique full four poster bed 210 cm x 151 cm, 235 cm high

Antique Four Poster Bed - 235cm High

Antique full four poster bed 210 cm x 151 cm, 235 cm high

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, 220 cm high, 153 cm wide, 239 cm deep

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 190 cm

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

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 222 cm width 213 cm depth 143 cm.…

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 135 cm x 190 cm four poster measures 233 cm high, 142 cm x 210 cm long.

Colonial cedar and blackwood single farmhouse four poster bed

Cedar & Blackwood Farmhouse Four Poster Bed

Colonial cedar and blackwood single farmhouse four poster bed

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, 130 cm wide, 211 cm long

19th century cedar farmhouse four poster bed

Cedar Four Poster Bed from 19th Century Farmhouse

19th century cedar farmhouse four poster bed

19th century cedar & blackwood 4 poster farmhouse bed

Cedar & Blackwood 4 Poster Farmhouse Bed - 19th Century

19th century cedar & blackwood 4 poster farmhouse bed

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 220 cm, width 150, depth 198

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 146 cm, with side irons

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 238 cm width 196 cm depth 122 cm

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)

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 227 cm, width 140 cm, length 207 cm

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

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

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, 215 cm high, 205 cm long, 150 cm wide (bolt tool in office)

A George III mahogany four poster canopy bed

Mahogany Four Poster Canopy Bed - George III Style

A George III mahogany four poster canopy bed

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…

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…

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. 264 cm high, 205 cm wide, 163 cm deep

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. 160 cm high, 213 cm wide, 100 cm deep

Colonial kauri half tester bed

Kauri Colonial Half Tester Bed

Colonial kauri half tester bed

Antique mahogany half tester double bed.

Mahogany Half Tester Double Bed - Antique

Antique mahogany half tester double bed.

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. 250 cm high, 170 cm wide, 210 cm deep

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

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

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…

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 217 cm long, 161 cm wide, 233 cm high approx, to fit mattress size 190 cm x 152 cm approx

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

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 202 cm, width 124 cm

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. 223 x 146 x 206 cm. Provenance: Sir Rupert & Lady Steel.

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, 257 cm high, 160…

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. 243 cm high, 155 cm wide and 214 cm deep

19th century cedar half tester bed

Cedar Half Tester Bed from the 19th Century

19th century cedar half tester bed

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, 234 cm high, 208 cm wide and 193 cm deep

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, 223 cm high, 148 cm wide and 193 cm deep

A Victorian reproduction mahogany four poster bed

Mahogany Victorian Four Poster Bed Replica

A Victorian reproduction mahogany four poster bed

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, 209 x 275.5 x 155.5 cm

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 175 cm width, 213 cm long, 45 cm (from floor to base)

Four poster carved pine bed

Carved Pine Four Poster Bed

Four poster carved pine bed

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 230 cm high, 138 cm wide, 220 cm deep.

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