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English Tester Bed

19th C English Half Tester Double Brass Bed Frame
19th C English Half Tester Double Brass Bed Frame

19th C English Half Tester Double Brass Bed Frame

$6,137

H 82.29 in W 81.11 in D 55.12 in

19th C English Half Tester Double Brass Bed Frame

Located in Staffordshire, GB

Circa 1890 19thC English half tester double brass bed frame with lattice swing brackets to the

Category

Antique 19th Century English Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass, Iron

English Georgian Mahogany Gadrooned and Upholstered Tester Bed, Circa 1800
English Georgian Mahogany Gadrooned and Upholstered Tester Bed, Circa 1800

English Georgian Mahogany Gadrooned and Upholstered Tester Bed, Circa 1800

Located in Charleston, SC

English Georgian mahogany four-poster bed with a carved molded inset headboard, tapered head post

Category

Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

English Mahogany Four-Poster Gadrooned Tester Bed with Marlboro Feet, Circa 1760
English Mahogany Four-Poster Gadrooned Tester Bed with Marlboro Feet, Circa 1760

English Mahogany Four-Poster Gadrooned Tester Bed with Marlboro Feet, Circa 1760

Located in Charleston, SC

English mahogany four-poster bed with gadrooned serpentine tester, carved reeded and floral post

Category

Antique 1760s English George II Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Mahogany

English Chippendale Cuban Mahogany Foliage Tester Bed with Marlboro Feet, C 1770
English Chippendale Cuban Mahogany Foliage Tester Bed with Marlboro Feet, C 1770

English Chippendale Cuban Mahogany Foliage Tester Bed with Marlboro Feet, C 1770

Located in Charleston, SC

English Chippendale Cuban Mahogany four poster bed with carved foliage acanthus reeded foot post

Category

Antique 1770s English Chippendale Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

LARGE & IMPORTANT ANTiQUE CIRCA 1600 CHARLES I DOCUMENTED ENGLISH OAK TESTER BED
LARGE & IMPORTANT ANTiQUE CIRCA 1600 CHARLES I DOCUMENTED ENGLISH OAK TESTER BED

LARGE & IMPORTANT ANTiQUE CIRCA 1600 CHARLES I DOCUMENTED ENGLISH OAK TESTER BED

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

important, Museum quality, extra large framed, Documented English oak Tester bed circa 1580-1620 Charles I

Category

Antique Early 1600s English Jacobean Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed with Canopy 1840
Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed with Canopy 1840

Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed with Canopy 1840

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Impressive English Victorian half tester bed in richly figured mahogany The bed with a substantial

Category

Antique 1840s Victorian Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Mahogany

MONUMENTAL 3 METER EMPEROR ANTIQUE CiRCA 1880 CARVED ENGLISH BURR OAK TESTER BED
MONUMENTAL 3 METER EMPEROR ANTIQUE CiRCA 1880 CARVED ENGLISH BURR OAK TESTER BED

MONUMENTAL 3 METER EMPEROR ANTIQUE CiRCA 1880 CARVED ENGLISH BURR OAK TESTER BED

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Antique circa 1880-1900 hand carved English Burr Oak Emperor size Tester bed frame which is the largest I

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English High Victorian Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

IMPORTANT BISHOP JAMES STANLEY 1508 KING HENRY VII ENGLiSH OAK TUDOR TESTER BED
IMPORTANT BISHOP JAMES STANLEY 1508 KING HENRY VII ENGLiSH OAK TUDOR TESTER BED

IMPORTANT BISHOP JAMES STANLEY 1508 KING HENRY VII ENGLiSH OAK TUDOR TESTER BED

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

important, Museum quality, English Tudor King Henry VII Oak tester bed made for and carved with Bishop James

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier English Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

Recent Sales

Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed with Canopy 1840
Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed with Canopy 1840

Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed with Canopy 1840

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Impressive English Victorian half tester bed in richly figured mahogany The bed with a substantial

Category

Antique 1840s Victorian Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Mahogany

17TH CENTURY JACOBEAN WILLIAM III CIRCA 1650 ENGLiSH OAK TESTER FOUR POSTER BED
17TH CENTURY JACOBEAN WILLIAM III CIRCA 1650 ENGLiSH OAK TESTER FOUR POSTER BED

17TH CENTURY JACOBEAN WILLIAM III CIRCA 1650 ENGLiSH OAK TESTER FOUR POSTER BED

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

circa 1650 William III hand carved Jacobean Tester four poster bed frame with exquisite carvings to the

Category

Antique 1650s English Jacobean Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

English Black and Gilt King-Sized Tester Bedstead
English Black and Gilt King-Sized Tester Bedstead

English Black and Gilt King-Sized Tester Bedstead

Located in New York, NY

Painted overall with gilt scrolling floral and foliate decoration on a black ground; the arched canopy supported by four fluted bedposts headed by scrolling capitals; with serpentine...

Category

Late 20th Century English Regency Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

19th Century Mahogany Miniature Bed with Arched Tester Top
19th Century Mahogany Miniature Bed with Arched Tester Top

19th Century Mahogany Miniature Bed with Arched Tester Top

Located in Charleston, SC

English miniature bed with mahogany tester top with tapered reeded leg and pierced headboard

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Great Britain (UK) Children's Furniture

17th Century English Style Panelled Mahogany Four-Poster Tester Bed
17th Century English Style Panelled Mahogany Four-Poster Tester Bed

17th Century English Style Panelled Mahogany Four-Poster Tester Bed

Located in Glasgow, GB

A handsome 17th century style dark mahogany four-poster tester bed with a fielded panelled cornice

Category

20th Century English Jacobean Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Hardwood

17th Century English Joined Tester Bed
17th Century English Joined Tester Bed

17th Century English Joined Tester Bed

Sold

H 83 in W 55 in D 81 in

17th Century English Joined Tester Bed

Located in Atlanta, GA

The early tester beds were just a wooden frame to hold the wonderful draperies and decorative

Category

Antique 17th Century English Elizabethan Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

English Four-Poster Painted Tester Bed, circa 1880
English Four-Poster Painted Tester Bed, circa 1880

English Four-Poster Painted Tester Bed, circa 1880

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This late 19th century painted English tester bed with distressed finish features four carved

Category

Antique 1880s American Empire Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Linen, Upholstery, Wood

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French Metal Canopy Bed, King
French Metal Canopy Bed, King

French Metal Canopy Bed, King

$11,070 / item

H 89 in W 82.5 in D 86 in

French Metal Canopy Bed, King

Located in Westwood, NJ

French Metal Canopy Bed, King Size, with a bronze finish metal canopy frame with a padded upholstered headboard in a neutral linen fabric. The frame with finials, square posts, and r...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Renaissance Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal

King Size Mahogany Pencil Post Bed by Leighton Hall
King Size Mahogany Pencil Post Bed by Leighton Hall

King Size Mahogany Pencil Post Bed by Leighton Hall

$3,995 / item

H 87 in W 83 in D 90 in

King Size Mahogany Pencil Post Bed by Leighton Hall

By Leighton Hall Furniture

Located in Suwanee, GA

This is a new traditional king size mahogany Pencil Post Bed by Leighton Hall Furniture. It’s design was inspired by poster beds from the Regency period and features simple round tap...

Category

2010s American Regency Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Mahogany

Murano Hand Blown Chartreuse Green Glass Chandelier, in stock
Murano Hand Blown Chartreuse Green Glass Chandelier, in stock

Murano Hand Blown Chartreuse Green Glass Chandelier, in stock

Located in Miami, FL

Murano hand blown studio glass chandelier, in stock All different shaped chartreuse green discs with white details, rigadin technique Brass plated structure with 24 exposed brass reg...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...

Materials

Brass

Samuraï Sculpture
Samuraï Sculpture

Samuraï Sculpture

$6,559 / item

H 23.63 in W 17.33 in D 9.45 in

Samuraï Sculpture

Located in Paris, FR

Sculpture Samuraï all in stoneware, hand-crafted piece with subtle engraved details and decorated with enamels.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery
Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery

Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery

$12,351Sale Price / item|20% Off

H 32.68 in W 110.24 in D 40.56 in

Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery

By Munna Design Studio

Located in NEW YORK, NY

This sofa features a wonderfully elegant fan-shaped motif, with its accentuated curvy lines with decadent and lavish finish. The feminine curves are ravishingly enhanced by the diffe...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Pillow Chair by Ash - Mint Velvet
Pillow Chair by Ash - Mint Velvet

Pillow Chair by Ash - Mint Velvet

$1,995

H 30.25 in W 27.5 in D 23.5 in

Pillow Chair by Ash - Mint Velvet

By ASH NYC

Located in New York, NY

The Ash Pillow Chair, everyone’s favorite companion reimagined in a new textile in four luscious colorways. A comfortable, custom-woven, fully upholstered velvet throne dreamed in an...

Category

2010s Slipper Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Custom Made to Order Belgian Linen Slip Cover Club Chair with Down Cushion
Custom Made to Order Belgian Linen Slip Cover Club Chair with Down Cushion

Custom Made to Order Belgian Linen Slip Cover Club Chair with Down Cushion

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

This White Linen Slip-Covered Lounge Chair fits as the perfect accent to any room. It's the perfect chair to have adjacent to a sofa, and can make every pillow look delightful in the...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Club Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Linen, Wood, Down

VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting
VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting

VOLARE Large Pendant Light in Dark Bronze & Blown Glass by Blueprint Lighting

By Blueprint Lighting, Josef Hoffmann

Located in New York, NY

Volare draws inspiration from a collection of ornate pendants discovered by founders Kelly and Josh during a family trip to Washington, D.C. Featuring a substantial 20" pressed-glass...

Category

2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"

Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"

By Bloom Home Inc

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas

Materials

Linen, Velvet

Rare Solid Bronze Armorial Crest Coat of Arms Lovely Verdigris Patination
Rare Solid Bronze Armorial Crest Coat of Arms Lovely Verdigris Patination

Rare Solid Bronze Armorial Crest Coat of Arms Lovely Verdigris Patination

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique solid bronze coat of arms armorial crest with lovely natural verdigris patina This is a very good looking and well made coa...

Category

20th Century English Post-Modern Arms, Armor and Weapons

Materials

Bronze

Giltwood "Confidente" Large Sofa in the Louis XV Style made by La Maison London
Giltwood "Confidente" Large Sofa in the Louis XV Style made by La Maison London

Giltwood "Confidente" Large Sofa in the Louis XV Style made by La Maison London

By La Maison London

Located in London, Park Royal

An elegant and impressive large Louis XV style confidante sofa which has been hand carved and gilded using traditional methods and materials to achieve an authentic period finish. Th...

Category

2010s British Louis XVI Sofas

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Antique Victorian Walnut and Burl Walnut Tall Lincoln Style Full Size Bed
Antique Victorian Walnut and Burl Walnut Tall Lincoln Style Full Size Bed

Antique Victorian Walnut and Burl Walnut Tall Lincoln Style Full Size Bed

Located in Topeka, KS

Gorgeous antique Victorian tall Lincoln style full size bed in solid walnut and walnut burl with footboard and side rails. It is in wonderful original vintage condition. That does no...

Category

Antique 19th Century American High Victorian Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Important Maison Jansen Velvet and Gilt Canapé, c. 1930s, Signed
Important Maison Jansen Velvet and Gilt Canapé, c. 1930s, Signed

Important Maison Jansen Velvet and Gilt Canapé, c. 1930s, Signed

$18,200Sale Price|24% Off

H 39.5 in W 53 in D 25 in

Important Maison Jansen Velvet and Gilt Canapé, c. 1930s, Signed

By Maison Jansen

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautiful Maison Jansen settee in emerald green velvet and gilt frame, signed underneath with remnants of Jansen stamp. Incredible collectors piece, with exquisite detail and craft...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Neoclassical Settees

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Monumental Italian Water Fountain with Delphine Sculptures
Monumental Italian Water Fountain with Delphine Sculptures

Monumental Italian Water Fountain with Delphine Sculptures

$62,129Sale Price|20% Off

H 129.93 in Dm 157.49 in

Monumental Italian Water Fountain with Delphine Sculptures

Located in Rome, IT

This monumental finely carved limestone fountain is composed a three levels. The first tiered with three amazing dolphin statues, the others adorned with lion heads ending with a pu...

Category

2010s Italian Fountains

Materials

Limestone

Vintage Zinc Clawfoot Planter with Rustic Patina, Europe Circa 1940
Vintage Zinc Clawfoot Planter with Rustic Patina, Europe Circa 1940

Vintage Zinc Clawfoot Planter with Rustic Patina, Europe Circa 1940

Located in High Point, NC

These rustic planters are a playful interpretation on typical zinc garden-ware. Inspired by traditional outdoor pitchers, wash-bins and basins, this metal planter is weather resistan...

Category

Vintage 1940s European Rustic Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Metal, Zinc

The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair
The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

$5,018 / item

H 35.44 in W 35.44 in D 31.5 in

The Howard, Custom Made Belgian Linen Armchair

Located in Jesteburg, DE

Introducing the home collection. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium. Has been used by many influent...

Category

2010s Belgian Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Linen

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English Tester Bed For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the English tester bed you’re looking for at 1stDibs. An English tester bed — often made from wood, oak and mahogany — can elevate any home. Find 10 options for an antique or vintage English tester bed now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without an English tester bed — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Each English tester bed bearing Georgian or Victorian hallmarks is very popular.

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.

Questions About English Tester Bed
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    Also known as a canopy bed, a tester bed is supported with a headboard and two posts. A tester bed usually features a full-sized suspended canopy with curtains on the top, back and sides. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary tester beds from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    A half tester bed is a low-foot bed — which means there is no footboard and it won’t look as imposing in your bedroom, particularly if space is a concern. A half tester bed’s canopy only covers the headboard. It is known as a “half” tester bed because the canopy extends only to half the length of the bed. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary half tester beds from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    The 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A half-tester bed means that the bed features a half a canopy above it. This half-tester may be used to suspend curtains that could help provide more privacy and retain more warmth around the head of the bed. Shop 1stDibs for a collection of beds featuring half-testers.

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