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 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 Poster Portuguese Bed

Portugal Poster

Baroque Bed

4 Poster Carved Wood Beds

Lisbon Bed Frame

Rocking Bench

Walnut Hand Carved Rocking Chair

Rock Bench

Indo Portuguese Furniture

Mughal Raj Four Poster Bed Anglo Indian Portuguese Baroque Lisbon Bed

$6,500

H 86 in W 60 in D 81 in

Mughal Raj Four Poster Bed Anglo Indian Portuguese Baroque Lisbon Bed

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

four poster bed in ebony dark black finish. Often known as a Raj bed, the bed is hand made by

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Late 20th Century Indian Moorish Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood

19th Century Baroque Queen Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

$8,775

H 77.56 in W 60.63 in D 77.96 in

19th Century Baroque Queen Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Located in Miami, FL

19th century Baroque bed, original Lisbon bed This Queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Baroque Queen Bed, Original Four Solomonic Poster Lisbon Bed

$8,775

H 62.21 in W 60.63 in D 80.71 in

19th Century Baroque Queen Bed, Original Four Solomonic Poster Lisbon Bed

Located in Miami, FL

19th century Baroque bed, original Lisbon bed This Queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Carved Medallions Full Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

$6,792Sale Price|20% Off

H 64.57 in W 55.32 in D 76.38 in

Early 20th Carved Medallions Full Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Located in Miami, FL

19th century Baroque bed, original Lisbon bed This Queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with

Category

Early 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Carved Medallions Queen Size Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

$8,490

H 64.57 in W 61.03 in D 80.71 in

Early 20th Carved Medallions Queen Size Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Located in Miami, FL

19th century Baroque bed, original Lisbon bed This Queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with

Category

Early 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

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Goan Four-Poster Bed

Unavailable

H 88 in W 67 in D 73 in

Goan Four-Poster Bed

Located in Portland, ME

Portuguese Colonial four poster bed made of ebonized teakwood with highly detailed decorative

Category

Antique 19th Century Indian Beds and Bed Frames

Pair of 19th Century Baroque Full Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Sold

H 63.78 in W 43.71 in D 80.71 in

Pair of 19th Century Baroque Full Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Located in Miami, FL

for the shipping, the This Full size 4-poster bed is hand carved with elaborate details, spiral

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Antique Iberian Four Poster Spindle Wood Bed, C1900 FREE SHIPPING

Sold

H 82.68 in W 58.86 in L 82.68 in

Antique Iberian Four Poster Spindle Wood Bed, C1900 FREE SHIPPING

Located in Trensacq, FR

Antique Iberian Four Poster Spindle Wood Bed, C1900 Gorgeous spindle wood bed. Classic Iberian

Category

Antique Early 1900s Portuguese Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Fruitwood

18th Century Four Poster Baroque Queen Bed, Original Lisbon Bed

Sold

H 76.78 in W 61.03 in D 81.5 in

18th Century Four Poster Baroque Queen Bed, Original Lisbon Bed

Located in Miami, FL

18th century Baroque bed, original Lisbon bed A Portuguese bed of carved and turned walnut with

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Baroque Full Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Sold

H 64.57 in W 55.52 in D 77.96 in

19th Century Baroque Full Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Located in Miami, FL

for the shipping, the This Queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with elaborate details, spiral

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Baroque Full Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Sold

H 76.78 in W 56.42 in D 76.78 in

19th Century Baroque Full Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Located in Miami, FL

19th century Baroque bed, original Lisbon bed This Queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Carved Medallions Queen Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Sold

H 64.57 in W 61.03 in D 80.71 in

Early 20th Carved Medallions Queen Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Located in Miami, FL

19th century Baroque bed, original Lisbon bed This Queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with

Category

Early 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Carved Medallions Queen Size Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Sold

H 64.57 in W 61.03 in D 80.71 in

Early 20th Carved Medallions Queen Size Bed, Original Four Poster Lisbon Bed

Located in Miami, FL

19th century Baroque bed, original Lisbon bed This Queen size 4-poster bed is hand carved with

Category

Early 20th Century Portuguese Baroque Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Grand Portuguese Four Poster Barley Twist Double Bed, 1890

Sold

H 79 in W 58 in D 81 in

Grand Portuguese Four Poster Barley Twist Double Bed, 1890

Located in London, GB

An outstanding grand Portuguese Four Poster double bed in original condition circa 1890 in solid

Category

Antique 1890s Portuguese Romantic Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

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19th Century Ethiopian Royal Bed (Former Tekalegn Besapa Collection)

$6,480

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19th Century Ethiopian Royal Bed (Former Tekalegn Besapa Collection)

Located in London, GB

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$10,058

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Louis XVI Style Sofa

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2010s British Louis XVI Sofas

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Giltwood

Walnut Minimalist Handmade Platform Queen Bed Frame, Judd Style

$3,800 / item

H 5 in W 72 in D 92 in

Walnut Minimalist Handmade Platform Queen Bed Frame, Judd Style

By Donald Judd, Figure Ground, George Nakashima

Located in Brooklyn, NY

An ode to our friend Donald Judd, the bedframe design employs the tatami style of Japanese Rooms and the Hygge of Danish comfort. The reveal is celebrated in its shadow. Rest happens...

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2010s American Minimalist Beds and Bed Frames

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Plywood

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

$4,900 / item

H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in

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...

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21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas

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Linen, Velvet

20th Century Baroque Style Queen Size Headboard in Carved Wood

$3,450

H 60.83 in W 63 in D 2.37 in

20th Century Baroque Style Queen Size Headboard in Carved Wood

Located in Miami, FL

20th Century Baroque style Queen size headboard in carved wood.

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Early 20th Century French Baroque Revival Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light

$2,000 / item

H 8.5 in Dm 17.5 in

Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light

By DBO Home

Located in Sharon, CT

Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. We just love our new porcelain Parasol Fluted Pendants. Inspired by a vintage pie cover, we designed them to hang over our kitchen...

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21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo and birds eye maple Bed

$2,500Sale Price|28% Off

H 48 in W 78.5 in D 37.5 in

Aesthetic Movement Faux Bamboo and birds eye maple Bed

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

Aesthetic movement birds eye maple and birch bed, circa 1900. The inside of the headboard with faux bamboo turnings and a large birds eye maple inset panel, both inside and outside o...

Category

Antique Early 1900s European Aesthetic Movement Beds and Bed Frames

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Erhard & Sohne Art Nouveau Jugendstil Arts and Crafts Jewelry Box Casket c. 1905

$1,225

H 2.92 in W 4.3 in D 2.76 in

Erhard & Sohne Art Nouveau Jugendstil Arts and Crafts Jewelry Box Casket c. 1905

By Erhard & Söhne

Located in London, GB

A beautiful art nouveau casket made by Erhard and Sohne in Germany in c. 1905. The casket is exquisitely executed with foliate detailing, made in the Gothic revival style in both p...

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Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 6

$37,200 / set

H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 6

By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of six. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage...

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Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

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Plastic, Velvet

Vivai del Sud Lounge Chair in Pink Fabric Upholstery

$4,950

H 26.78 in W 48.04 in D 43.31 in

Vivai del Sud Lounge Chair in Pink Fabric Upholstery

By Vivai del Sud

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Vivai del Sud, lounge chair, pink fabric upholstery, Italy, 1970s This vibrant and cheerful lounge chair was created in the 1970s. This playful lounge chair is upholstered in a shi...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V

$3,990 / item

H 15.75 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in

Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V

By Dusty Deco

Located in Los Angeles, CA

DD V daybed is an exclusive daybed made by hand in Bosnia and Herzegovina by skilled craftsmen with long experience in wood and upholstery. Both frame and the characteristic V-shaped...

Category

2010s Bosnian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Velvet

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Oversized Bergere Marquise Armchair

$4,200

H 36 in W 37 in D 21 in

19th Century French Louis XVI Style Oversized Bergere Marquise Armchair

Located in Charleston, SC

19th century French Louis XVI style bergère marquise upholstered armchair in painted wood frame with neoclassical architecture embellished hand-carved foliates, rosettes and tapered ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Bergere Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Vintage Oval Wicker Dressing Table with Stool, 20th Century Design

$1,400

H 38.5 in W 33 in D 20 in

Vintage Oval Wicker Dressing Table with Stool, 20th Century Design

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Vintage wicker dressing table / writing table with stool. It is oval shaped with a raised galleried back. There is one center drawer. This very versatile piece can be used as a dres...

Category

20th Century Vanities

Materials

Wicker

Antique British Colonial Caned and Carved Planters Chair

$5,950

H 38.5 in W 24 in D 48 in

Antique British Colonial Caned and Carved Planters Chair

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Impressive British Colonial plantation chair crafted in mahogany in a graceful form with dramatic carved ocean and floral motifs on the back and rolled arms, having caned seat and ba...

Category

Early 20th Century Caribbean British Colonial Lounge Chairs

Materials

Cane, Mahogany

Brutalist Black Leather & Cast Solid Brass Lounge Chair by Egg Designs

$10,660 / item

H 33.47 in W 32.29 in D 32.29 in

Brutalist Black Leather & Cast Solid Brass Lounge Chair by Egg Designs

By Egg Designs

Located in Bothas Hill, KZN

Egg Designs’ Primal lounge chair (2024) is a bold, Brutalist-inspired statement piece, crafted with sculptural presence and rich material contrast. Upholstered in black leather, the ...

Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

Four Poster Contemporary Pencil Post Bed by Boyd & Allister

$4,900 / item

H 78 in W 63.5 in D 83.5 in

Four Poster Contemporary Pencil Post Bed by Boyd & Allister

By Boyd & Allister

Located in Santa Fe, NM

This four poster contemporary pencil post bed was one of the original pieces that we made in our studio. Boyd & Allister got its start over 12 years ago making a line of beds for a l...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Walnut

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Questions About Four Poster Portuguese Bed

Is it a four-post bed or four-poster bed?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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 point of a four-poster bed?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
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?
1 Answer
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.
What is the difference between a canopy bed and a four poster bed?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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.