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Half Tester Beds

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

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

$6,100

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

Magnificent Exhibition Quality Antique Gilded Solid Brass Half Tester Double Bed
Magnificent Exhibition Quality Antique Gilded Solid Brass Half Tester Double Bed

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

Pair Beds Tester 19c American Colonial-Style Mahogany Douglas Fairbanks Pickfair
Pair Beds Tester 19c American Colonial-Style Mahogany Douglas Fairbanks Pickfair

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

ANTIQUE VICTORIAN CIRCA 1860 HAND CARVED BURR WALNUT HALF TESTER CANOPY BEd
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN CIRCA 1860 HAND CARVED BURR WALNUT HALF TESTER CANOPY BEd

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

Recent Sales

Antique Victorian Half Tester Bed, WHT14
Antique Victorian Half Tester Bed, WHT14

Antique Victorian Half Tester Bed, WHT14

Unavailable

H 82 in W 60 in D 86 in

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
Late Victorian Iron and Brass Half Tester Bed, circa 1880

Late Victorian Iron and Brass Half Tester Bed, circa 1880

Unavailable

H 82.68 in W 62.21 in D 89.77 in

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
Antique Half Tester Bed in Mahogany, M4P13

Antique Half Tester Bed in Mahogany, M4P13

Unavailable

H 101 in W 63 in D 90 in

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
Prudent Mallard Half-Tester Bed

Prudent Mallard Half-Tester Bed

Sold

H 121 in W 74 in D 85 in

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 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

Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed, Sunburst Canopy Barley Twist Columns
Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed, Sunburst Canopy Barley Twist Columns

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

19th Century mahogany half taster bed
19th Century mahogany half taster bed

19th Century mahogany half taster bed

Sold

H 85.5 in W 66.25 in D 85.5 in

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

An Arts & Crafts Cast Brass Half Tester Double Bed with Stylised Floral Details
An Arts & Crafts Cast Brass Half Tester Double Bed with Stylised Floral Details

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

Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed
Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed

Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed

Sold

H 88.19 in W 68.12 in D 82.68 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
Blue Verdigris Half Tester Bed, M4P28

Blue Verdigris Half Tester Bed, M4P28

Sold

H 88 in W 60 in D 84 in

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
Half Tester Bed in Mahogany, WK111

Half Tester Bed in Mahogany, WK111

Sold

H 87 in W 60 in D 86 in

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
Gold Double Half Tester Bed - M4P22

Gold Double Half Tester Bed - M4P22

Sold

H 86 in W 54 in D 80 in

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
Painted Cast Iron Half Tester Bed M4P34

Painted Cast Iron Half Tester Bed M4P34

Sold

H 83 in W 54 in D 80 in

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
Mid-Victorian Iron Half Tester Bed

Mid-Victorian Iron Half Tester Bed

Sold

H 89.5 in W 55 in D 80 in

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
Mid-Victorian Cast Iron Half Tester Bed - MHT1

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
Unusual Antique Victorian Miniature Oak Half Tester Bed

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
Mid-Victorian Cast Iron Half Tester Bed - MHT2

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
Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed

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
Brass & Iron Half Tester Bed, M4P39

Brass & Iron Half Tester Bed, M4P39

Sold

H 89 in W 60 in D 85 in

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
Cast Iron Half Tester Antique Bed finished in Blue Verdigris, M4P46

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
The Heron Bed

The Heron Bed

Sold

H 103 in W 91 in D 64 in

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
half tester press bed

half tester press bed

Sold

H 83 in W 53.5 in D 74.5 in

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
Scottish Half Tester Bedstead

Scottish Half Tester Bedstead

Sold

H 80 in W 60 in D 84 in

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
Brass & Iron Half Tester Antique Bed in Faded Gold, M4P55

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

Brass, Iron

Mahogany Half Tester Bedstead - WHT1
Mahogany Half Tester Bedstead - WHT1

Mahogany Half Tester Bedstead - WHT1

Sold

H 87 in W 63 in D 87 in

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
CB-17 Antique Scottish '1870' Victorian Queen Size Half Tester Brass Bed

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
Gothic Mahogany Half Tester Bed

Gothic Mahogany Half Tester Bed

Sold

H 95 in W 74 in D 84 in

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
All Brass Half Tester Bed, MHT3

All Brass Half Tester Bed, MHT3

Sold

H 81 in W 60 in D 84 in

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
Antique Half Tester Bed in Mahogany, WHT2

Antique Half Tester Bed in Mahogany, WHT2

Sold

H 101 in W 66 in D 90 in

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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Located in Westwood, NJ

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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
  • 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
    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.
  • 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 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.