4 Poster Tester Bed
Antique Early 19th Century Anglo Raj Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s British Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Velvet, Oak
Vintage 1950s English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
20th Century American Hepplewhite Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
People Also Browsed
Late 20th Century American Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Cabinets
Marble, Bronze
Antique Late 18th Century Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Night Stands
Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Cane, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Vases
Gold Leaf, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Chandeliers and Pendants
Wrought Iron
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Silk, Walnut
20th Century French Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Iron
Antique Early 1900s French Beds and Bed Frames
Giltwood
20th Century French Louis XV Prints
Paper
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Vanities
Marble, Wrought Iron
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Daybeds
Iron
Vintage 1960s American Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Brass
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s American American Craftsman Beds and Bed Frames
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
20th Century French Louis XIV Daybeds
Gold Leaf
Antique Early 19th Century American Sheraton Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Caribbean British Colonial Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
4 Poster Tester Bed For Sale on 1stDibs
Finding the Right beds-frames for You
We find relaxation and solace in our bedrooms, which are often the most cherished rooms of a home. Your antique, new or vintage bed and bed frame are integral to this oasis of personal comfort.
Beds and bed frames have long been an important part of the sanctuary that is the bedroom. For the upper class in countries such as England, the massive, costly beds of the 16th and 17th centuries were decorative and of the poster variety. Some were characterized by large painted wooden headboards, often made of oak, that featured ornate carvings and richly colored curtains affixed to each of the two or four posts — think of today’s sumptuous upholstered headboards as a distant cousin to these luxurious furnishings. The heavy fabric curtains were drawn across a fringed canopy to close out the sunlight that might’ve warmed your grandiose and opulent bedchambers. This feature could also offer privacy as desired, because, as we all know, a bedroom is for more than just sleeping.
Coiled springs didn’t make their way into mattresses until the 1800s, which likely made for a far more comfortable night’s sleep for many. Bed frames of cast iron and brass were introduced during the mid- to late-19th century. Later, the 20th century brought with it marvelous innovations for slumberland, among them daybeds from the likes of George Nelson and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich as well as convertible sofa beds.
Today, you will find a range of beds geared toward your individual personality and preferred style of decor. When shopping for a bed and bed frame, keep in mind that you’ve got options. Sizes range from twin to California king. At 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, a king-size bed is roughly 16 inches wider than a queen-size mattress, and your bed frame will likely add two to five inches to each side. (The California king bed is 84 inches long.)
From dramatic bedroom designs to uncomplicated, minimalist approaches, the bedroom has evolved into the haven that it should be: a peaceful place of respite, where we begin and end every day. Take the time to create your very own oasis — you deserve it. Rest easy with an expansive collection of antique, new and vintage beds and bed frames available on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The tester on a four poster bed is the canopy over the bed. It was usually made of wood and could be covered with cloth. It provided privacy and helped enclose the bed, making it easier to heat the bed area. On 1stDibs, find an array of vintage and contemporary four-poster beds.
Read More
Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.
Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure
Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.
Whaam! Blam! Pow! — a New Book on Pop Art Packs a Punch
Publishing house Assouline and writer Julie Belcove have teamed up to trace the history of the genre, from Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Yayoi Kusama to Mickalene Thomas and Jeff Koons.
The Sparkling Legacy of Tiffany & Co. Explained, One Jewel at a Time
A gorgeous new book celebrates — and memorializes — the iconic jeweler’s rich heritage.
What Makes a Gem-Encrusted Chess Set Worth $4 Million?
The world’s most opulent chess set, weighing in at 513 carats, is literally fit for a king and queen.
Tauba Auerbach’s Geometric Pop-Up Book Is Mighty Rare, Thanks to a Hurricane
This sculptural art book has an epic backstory of its own.
Step inside the Storied Mansions of Palm Beach’s Most Effervescent Architect
From Spanish-style courtyards to fanciful fountains, these acclaimed structures abound in surprising and elegant details.