Half Tester Beds
19th Century mahogany half taster bed
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th Century mahogany half taster bed, the King size half tester bed having a
Category
Antique 1860s British Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
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
$4,896 Sale Price
60% Off
H 82.29 in W 81.11 in D 55.12 in
Magnificent Exhibition Quality Antique Gilded Solid Brass Half Tester Double Bed
Located in Suffolk, GB
Magnificent exhibition quality antique Victorian gilded solid brass half tester double bed having a
Category
Antique 1860s English Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass
$13,552
H 88.98 in W 55.91 in D 81.89 in
Pair Beds Tester 19c American Colonial-Style Mahogany Douglas Fairbanks Pickfair
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
This pair of half-tester beds were acquired for the guest suite at Douglas Fairbanks Sr and Mary
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century North American American Colonial Beds and Bed F...
Materials
Mahogany
$48,179 / set
H 75.99 in W 83.86 in D 42.92 in
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN CIRCA 1860 HAND CARVED BURR WALNUT HALF TESTER CANOPY BEd
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Tester Canopy bed
A very good looking, extremely comfortable and well-made bed, this is pretty much as
Category
Antique 1860s British Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Hardwood
$5,437
H 93.31 in W 56.5 in D 84.65 in
Recent Sales
Antique Victorian Half Tester Bed, WHT14
Located in Wrexham, GB
A magnificent Victorian half tester bed with arched foot panel, turned posts and rectangular canopy
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Walnut
Late Victorian Iron and Brass Half Tester Bed, circa 1880
Located in Avington, Hampshire
Late Victorian iron and brass half tester bed, circa 1880
Mattress not included, please enquire if
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Beds and Bed Frames
Antique Half Tester Bed in Mahogany, M4P13
Located in Wrexham, GB
A magnificent Victorian half tester bed with flame veneer in the shaped foot panel, and serpentine
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Walnut
Prudent Mallard Half-Tester Bed
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional American Rococo Revival half-tester bed displays the hallmarks of the great New
Category
Antique 19th Century American Rococo Revival Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Rosewood
Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed, Sunburst Canopy Barley Twist Columns
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
This Victorian mahogany half tester bed is superb, it dates from around 1860 it has a half canopy
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Gothic Victorian Style Carved Mahogany Half Tester Queen Size Canopy Bed
Located in Dayton, OH
Contemporary Carved Mahogany Half Tester Queen Size Bed, last quarter 20th c. Features serpentine
Category
Late 20th Century Gothic Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
H 99 in W 68 in D 91 in
An Arts & Crafts Cast Brass Half Tester Double Bed with Stylised Floral Details
Located in London, GB
An Arts and Crafts lacquered cast brass half tester double bedstead, with stylised plant and floral
Category
20th Century English Arts and Crafts Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass
H 87 in W 53.5 in D 78 in
Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Victorian Mahogany half tester bed with well figured arched footboard and upholstered headboard
Category
Antique 1880s Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
Blue Verdigris Half Tester Bed, M4P28
Located in Wrexham, GB
5ft wide attractive cast iron half tester bed finished in blue Verdigris.
The price includes a
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Iron
Half Tester Bed in Mahogany, WK111
Located in Wrexham, GB
Magnificent mahogany Victorian half tester bed with arched foot panel and serpentine canopy.
The
Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
Gold Double Half Tester Bed - M4P22
Located in Wrexham, GB
A cast iron half tester bed from the mid-Victorian era finished in gold with decorative brass
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
Painted Cast Iron Half Tester Bed M4P34
Located in Wrexham, GB
This superb original mid-Victorian cast iron half tester bed has the original floral painted
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Iron
Mid-Victorian Iron Half Tester Bed
Located in Wrexham, GB
A fine example of a cast iron half tester bed in its original condition. The ornate iron work on
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Iron, Steel
Mid-Victorian Cast Iron Half Tester Bed - MHT1
Located in Wrexham, GB
A fine example of a cast iron half tester bed finished in white. The ornate iron work on the panel
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass, Iron, Steel
Unusual Antique Victorian Miniature Oak Half Tester Bed
Located in Stutton, GB
Unusual antique victorian miniature oak half tester bed
All original lovely color and condition
9
Category
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Architectural Models
Materials
Oak
Mid-Victorian Cast Iron Half Tester Bed - MHT2
Located in Wrexham, GB
A superb and rare example of a mid-Victorian half tester bed in original condition. The tapered
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass, Iron, Steel
Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed
Located in Wrexham, GB
A magnificent Victorian mahogany half tester bedstead with shaped foot panel and tall canopy. The
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
Brass & Iron Half Tester Bed, M4P39
Located in Wrexham, GB
Beautifully painted Victorian half tester bedstead in our hand painted blue verdigris with
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass, Iron
Cast Iron Half Tester Antique Bed finished in Blue Verdigris, M4P46
Located in Wrexham, GB
A 5ft wide cast iron antique half tester bed with half-round canopy supported by tall back posts
Category
Antique 1880s Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass, Iron
The Heron Bed
Located in Peterborough, Northamptonshire
The Heron Bed, a magnificent mahogany Half Tester Bed, attributed to Blanes of Liverpool and
Category
Antique 19th Century English Beds and Bed Frames
half tester press bed
Located in Hudson, NY
birch half tester press bed from the north shore of Boston, MA
old refinished - retains some
Category
Antique 19th Century American Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Birch
Scottish Half Tester Bedstead
Located in Wrexham, GB
A superb light maplewood Scottish half tester bedstead with moire effect panels and turned posts
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Maple, Satinwood
Brass & Iron Half Tester Antique Bed in Faded Gold, M4P55
Located in Wrexham, GB
A stunning Victorian half tester antique bed finished in hand-paint faded gold with ornately
Category
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Iron, Brass
Mahogany Half Tester Bedstead - WHT1
Located in Wrexham, GB
Seventh Heaven.
The dimensions of this bed are:
Absolute Width: 63 in (160 cm)
Absolute Length: 87 in
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
CB-17 Antique Scottish '1870' Victorian Queen Size Half Tester Brass Bed
Located in Vancouver, BC
CB-17 antique Scottish Victorian queen-size half tester brass bed,
Scotland, 1870.
All
Category
Antique 1870s Scottish Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass
Gothic Mahogany Half Tester Bed
Located in Wrexham, GB
This magnificent Gothic half tester bed has linenfold carved decoration on the back panels, the
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Gothic Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
All Brass Half Tester Bed, MHT3
Located in Wrexham, GB
A superb example of a late Victorian half tester bed with ornate cast brass fittings, barley twist
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Half Tester Bed in Mahogany, WHT2
Located in Wrexham, GB
A magnificent mahogany Victorian half tester bed with flame veneer in the shaped foot panel
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Mahogany
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Pair of Louis XVI Style Nightstands
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French neoclassical style nightstand, with a pierced brass gallery and Bianco Carrara marble top, pull-out tray, single drawer with cast brass handles, square tapered legs with bra...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Night Stands
Materials
Marble, Brass
Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Chandelier, Brass, Teak, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in High Point, NC
A brass, off-white fabric and teak chandelier designed and produced by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Sweden, 1950s.
Dimensions of canopy (inches): 2” H x 3.7” Diameter
Socket takes standard...
Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Brass
On Hold
$4,400
H 22.8 in W 23 in D 12.1 in
Antique Four Post Bed, 19th Century France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Antique French Four Poster Bed, Late 19th Century.
An artisan-crafted bed, beautifully carved in oak with tall turned finial posts at each corner and turned double spindle arch detai...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Country Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Oak
Antique Red Languedoc Marble Fireplace Surround For Grand Interior Decor
Located in Beervelde, BE
This Rouge Languedoc marble fireplace embodies the Renaissance Revival style with its intricate detailing and craftsmanship.
The deep red marble, accented with striking white veining...
Category
Antique 19th Century Belgian Renaissance Revival Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Marble
$33,748
H 72.45 in W 68.9 in D 18.12 in
Multicolor Arlecchino Murano Chandelier
Located in Budapest, HU
Fantastic Murano chandelier made by 187 Murano crystal multicolored prism in a nickel metal frame. The glasses are transparent, blue, smoky, purple, green, yellow and pink. The glass...
Category
1990s Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Metal
Magnificent All Brass Crown and Canopy Four Poster Bed M4P51
Located in Wrexham, GB
A majestic all brass four poster bed bedstead with crown and canopy. Detailed etched brass posts, displaying ornate brass fittings, support an impressive canopy, with decorative fret...
Category
Antique 1870s British Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass, Iron
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Renaissance style Entree Dish
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Renaissance-style round sterling silver entree dish.
The bottom of the entree dish is smooth, while a border made with the casting technique with acanthus leaf motifs has been welded...
Category
1990s Italian Renaissance Sterling Silver
Materials
Sterling Silver
$3,747 Sale Price
32% Off
H 5.91 in Dm 10.63 in
Milo Baughman Dresser for Drexel
By Milo Baughman, Drexel
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Milo Baughman
Manufacturer: Drexel
Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern
Specifications: Wood
Condition
This Milo Baughman dresser for Drexel is in excellent restor...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Wood
Italian Antique Victorian Carved Walnut Highback Full Bed Lincoln Style
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-19th century Victorian Eastlake walnut carved Lincoln style bed. Features a high back with burled panels, carved finials, and open pediment with central shield / crest medallion ...
Category
Antique 1850s English Victorian Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
$5,272 Sale Price
20% Off
H 86.62 in W 65.56 in D 76.38 in
Antique Neoclassical Pine and Lime Wood Georgian Style Fireplace Surround
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A substantial and impressive architectural late 19th century profusely carved pine and lime wood fireplace surround in the Georgian manner of Robert Adam. The shelf perfectly evokes ...
Category
Antique 1870s English Georgian Fireplaces and Mantels
Materials
Pine
$16,793 Sale Price
20% Off
H 68.31 in W 87.01 in D 13.78 in
Set of 12 English Porcelain Botanical Plates, Spode, circa 1900
By Spode
Located in New York, NY
Set of 12 English porcelain botanical plates, Spode, circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century Dinner Plates
Qing Dynasty Antique Chinese Red Coral Specimen
Located in London, GB
This red coral specimen, with flowing lines and organic form, is a beautiful example of how the work of nature can be, and has been, celebrated as art. The coral has been mounted on ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Coral
12 Coalport Grey and Polychrome Enamel Floral Shaped Rim Dinner Service Plates
By Coalport Porcelain
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This set of 12 Coalport dinner plates feature an unusual color combination of a soft gray border decorated with a vibrant palette of brightly painted flowers. There are various combi...
Category
Vintage 1920s English Dinner Plates
Materials
Porcelain
$3,800 / set
H 0.75 in Dm 10.5 in
Ralph Lauren Chesterfield Sofa
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Hartville, OH
Gorgeous Vintage Chesterfield Sofa with Deep Button Tufts, Rolled arms and Brass Casters. Finished in a Cognac leather. Unsigned, believed to be Ralph Lauren.
Category
1990s American British Colonial Sofas
Materials
Leather
Gio Ponti Art Dèco Italian Sofa from Hotel Bristol Merano, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Luxurious Art Deco sofa designed by Gio Ponti for the Hotel Bristol Merano Italia. Sofa with low armrests and a sculptural shape. Made in Italy in the early 1950s. The velvet is worn...
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Materials
Velvet, Beech
$5,764
H 36.62 in W 68.12 in D 34.26 in
Ralph Lauren Clivedon Tufted Black Leather Bed Queen Size
By Ralph Lauren
Located in North York, ON
Ralph Lauren designed Clivedon Queen bed, Neo-Classical sleigh bed with scroll headboard and footboard upholstered in tufted supple black leather. Brass claw foot details and gilt ac...
Category
2010s American Neoclassical Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Brass
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Half Tester Beds For Sale on 1stDibs
Find a variety of half tester beds available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, all half tester beds available were constructed with great care. Half tester beds have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Victorian, Arts and Crafts and mid-century modern half tester beds are consistently popular styles. Many half tester beds are appealing in their simplicity, but Pia Manu produced popular half tester beds that are worth a look.
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 Half Tester Beds
- What is a half tester bed?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A 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.
- What does half-tester bed mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A 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.
- What is a tester bed?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021Also 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 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.
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More Ways To Browse
Scotland Bed
Sunburst Bed
Victorian Canopy Beds
Walnut Tester Bed
19th C Iron Beds
Antique Half Tester Double Bed
Brass Bed Finials
Iron Half Tester Bed
Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed
Antique Brass Bed Finials
Half Canopy Bed
Old West Saloon
Verdigris Bed
Gothic Bed Queen
Gothic Canopy Bed
Arched King Headboard
Art Deco Queen Headboard
Bamboo Poster Bed