Is it a four-post bed or four-poster bed?

References show that in the 14th and 15th centuries, “four-post” was the correct terminology. However, today it is considered correct to say “four-poster”. You can find a range of vintage and antique four-poster beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is the bed with four posts called?

A bed with four posts is called a four-poster bed. Many attach to awnings called canopies. Historical records trace the beds back to the 3rd century, but they became especially popular during the Middle Ages. Find a selection of antique and vintage four-poster beds on 1stDibs.

What is the point of a four-poster bed?

Today, the point of a four-poster bed is largely stylistic. People place them in bedrooms due to their elegant decorative appearance. Historically, four-poster beds featured heavy curtains that blocked light, preserved privacy and provided warmth in the winter. You'll find a selection of four-poster beds on 1stDibs.

What is a tester on a four poster bed?

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.

What is the difference between a canopy bed and a four poster bed?

A four poster bed features four posts, one at each corner. A canopy bed also has four posts, one at each corner, but a canopy bed is covered with a cloth of some sort. They can look similar except for the canopy on top. However, canopy posts are often built differently than four poster beds so they can accommodate the fabric. Shop a collection of four poster and canopy beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is the top of a four-poster bed called?

Across the top of older four-poster beds was a wooden rail that was called the tester. The tester often held a rail where curtains were attached that could be pulled closed. Shop a collection of four-poster beds from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

How do I make a four-poster bed modern?

You can make a four-poster bed modern in a number of ways. Try refinishing it with matte spray paint or covering the headboard with fabric or wallpaper. You can also hang fabric in contemporary prints from the frame as a canopy. You'll find a collection of four-poster beds on 1stDibs.

Four Pillar Bed

Italian Renaissance Chest Of Drawers

American Georgian Furniture

Late 17th Century Oak Chest Of Drawers

17th Century Italian Walnut Chairs

Circa 1800 American Federal Hardwood Four Poster Bed Frame with Carved Pillars

$24,346

H 66.93 in W 39.77 in D 80.52 in

Circa 1800 American Federal Hardwood Four Poster Bed Frame with Carved Pillars

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

four post bed with heavily carved and fluted columns. These beds are about as rare and collectable

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Antique Early 1800s American Georgian Beds and Bed Frames

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Hardwood

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17th Century Italian Renaissance Walnut Credenza or Cabinet

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H 16 in W 44 in L 16 in

17th Century Italian Renaissance Walnut Credenza or Cabinet

Located in Dallas, TX

. Canopy beds with four pillars became popular among the wealthy. On the other hand, many people still

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Antique Late 17th Century Italian Renaissance Credenzas

Materials

Walnut

Louise Alix1930's French Impressionist Maiden Lying On Four Pillar Bed Watercolour Painting, 1930's

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H 9.5 in W 6.5 in

1930's French Impressionist Maiden Lying On Four Pillar Bed Watercolour Painting

Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire

condition: overall very good and sound, a few scuffs and marks to the surface and wear to the four corners

Category

Mid-20th Century Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

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Antique European Carved Gilt And Polychrome Coat Of Arms Wall Plaque

$890

H 21.38 in W 17.75 in D 1.38 in

Antique European Carved Gilt And Polychrome Coat Of Arms Wall Plaque

Located in Nuernberg, DE

We are delighted to offer for sale this highly collectable hand carved coat of arms featuring a knightly crest. This is an exceptionally well made and decorative piece. It is a very...

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Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Arms, Armor and Weapons

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The 'Nanna' Wall Light

$758 / item

H 7.49 in W 5.91 in D 7.09 in

The 'Nanna' Wall Light

Located in Malton, GB

This is our 'Nanna' Wall light. The Norse goddess of joy and peace. Wife of Baldr. Made from forged steel right here in Yorkshire by Sam our incredible black smith. The whole proces...

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21st Century and Contemporary Wall Lights and Sconces

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Rare Solid Bronze Armorial Crest Coat of Arms Lovely Verdigris Patination

$3,825

H 11.03 in W 7.88 in D 1.97 in

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...

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

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Bronze

Queen 4 Poster Pendant Canopy Bed Frame

$23,500

H 98 in W 66.5 in D 88.5 in

Queen 4 Poster Pendant Canopy Bed Frame

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Queen 4 Poster Pendant Canopy Bed Frame with raised and flat chinoiserie. Headboard scene has the lovers rowing their boat on the center surrounded with weeping willows and a pagoda...

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Vintage 1980s English Beds and Bed Frames

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Lacquer

19th Century Mallard American Rococo Walnut Queen With William and Mary Accents

$16,995

H 71.5 in W 63.5 in D 79 in

19th Century Mallard American Rococo Walnut Queen With William and Mary Accents

By Prudent Mallard

Located in Germantown, MD

An American Victorian Rococo Revival carved Walnut bedstead, mid-19th century, attributed to Prudent Mallard, New Orleans. The is antique has just been completely refinished, with a ...

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Antique Mid-19th Century American Rococo Revival Beds and Bed Frames

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Walnut, Hardwood

Monumental Well in the Louis XIV Style, 20th Century

$142,778

H 257.09 in W 94.69 in D 94.69 in

Monumental Well in the Louis XIV Style, 20th Century

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

This monumental stone fountain canopy was made identical to the fountain of the Chateau of the Black Prince in Lormont. Dated from the 20th century, four columns with grooved barrels...

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20th Century French Napoleon III Architectural Elements

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Stone

C. 1870 Antique English Tunbridge Ware & Penwork Regency Tea Caddy Box

$695

H 4.625 in W 7.5 in D 4.5 in

C. 1870 Antique English Tunbridge Ware & Penwork Regency Tea Caddy Box

Located in Atlanta, GA

English, circa 1870. A Regency Tunbridge Ware & Penwork Tea Caddy Box of Hexagonal form. Featuring a decorated Neo Classical taste top centering the goddess Ceres recumbent upon her...

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Antique 19th Century English Regency Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

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Walnut

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

$111,299

H 95.08 in W 69.89 in D 95.28 in

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

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly important, Museum quality, extra large framed, Documented English oak Tester bed c...

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Antique Early 1600s English Jacobean Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

Modern Fabric Pendant Hand-Painted Light from Studio Mirei, Sirenetta (Set of 3)

$6,030 / set

H 50 in Dm 60 in

Modern Fabric Pendant Hand-Painted Light from Studio Mirei, Sirenetta (Set of 3)

By Costantini

Located in New York, NY

Sirenetta Modern Fabric Pendant Hand-Painted Light from Studio Mirei, represented by Costantini Design Sirenetta; inspired by a sea siren. When the sun hits the horizon, imagine i...

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2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

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Natural Fiber

Brussels Late 17th Century Tapestry Asia from a Four Continents Series 9'4 x 18

$165,500

H 112 in W 216 in D 0.25 in

Brussels Late 17th Century Tapestry Asia from a Four Continents Series 9'4 x 18

Located in New York, NY

Brussels late 17th century tapestry, "Asia" from a Four Continents series. Designed by Lodowijk van Schoor, Woven in the Workshop of J. van der Borcht I Size: 9'4 high x 18' wide. Wo...

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Antique 17th Century Belgian Tapestries

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Wool

Antique Salt Glazed Industrial Stoneware Dipping Baskets, Early 1900s

$900 / item

H 13 in Dm 6.75 in

Antique Salt Glazed Industrial Stoneware Dipping Baskets, Early 1900s

Located in Brooklyn, NY

*Please visit our storefront for additional baskets. SOLD INDIVIDUALLY: A collection of antique stoneware dipping baskets once used by plating factories to contain tarnished metal a...

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Vintage 1910s American Industrial Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Old Antique Reclaimed Large Stone Fireplace Mantel with Trumeau Overmantle

$102,000

H 173 in W 115.5 in D 28.5 in

Old Antique Reclaimed Large Stone Fireplace Mantel with Trumeau Overmantle

Located in Costa Mesa, CA

Reclaimed from a castle in Caithness, England, this majestic 115" high mid-18th century hand-carved limestone fireplace is a truly rare and captivating royal masterpiece. It represen...

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Antique 18th Century English Medieval Fireplaces and Mantels

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Italian 17th Century Louis XIV Period Double Framed Giltwood Mirror

$189,500

H 100 in W 64 in D 11 in

Italian 17th Century Louis XIV Period Double Framed Giltwood Mirror

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A rare and extremely high quality Italian late 17th/early 18th century Louis XIV period double framed giltwood mirror, from the famous Palazzo Borghese. The grand scale and statement...

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Antique 17th Century Italian Louis XIV Wall Mirrors

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Henry Culver Model of Revenge

$42,000

H 39.5 in W 43 in D 22 in

Henry Culver Model of Revenge

Located in Norwell, MA

Rare ship model of the noted warship "Queen Anne's Revenge", by famous ship modeler Henry Brundage Culver. This is an exceptional piece with a very colorful paint scheme, exceptional...

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Vintage 1920s Nautical Objects

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Pair of Ormolu Bronze and Baccarat Crystal Chandeliers, France, circa 1870

$120,000 / set

H 51.19 in Dm 31.5 in

Pair of Ormolu Bronze and Baccarat Crystal Chandeliers, France, circa 1870

By Cristalleries De Baccarat

Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires

Pair of Ormolu bronze and Baccarat crystal chandeliers, France, circa 1870.

Category

Antique 1870s French Empire Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu

Important and Rare Canopy Bed of the Guangxu Reign

$36,299

H 89.77 in W 82.68 in D 64.97 in

Important and Rare Canopy Bed of the Guangxu Reign

Located in Madrid, ES

Important and rare canopy bed. In 19th century tamarind, of the Guangxu reign (1875-1908). Decoration with plant motifs. Dimentions.: 228 x 210 x 165 cm. Complete and in very g...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

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Four Pillar Bed For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the four pillar bed you’re looking for. Each four pillar bed for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, hardwood and natural fiber. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer four pillar bed, there are earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A four pillar bed made by Georgian designers — as well as those associated with Victorian — is very popular. A well-made four pillar bed has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Henri-Auguste Fourdinois and Thomas Weeks are consistently popular.