What is a half tester bed?

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.

What does half-tester bed mean?

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.

Iron Half Tester Bed

Beds With Canopies

Cast Iron Posts

Victorian Queen Size Bed Frame

Four Posted King Size Bed

Round Beds

19th Century Iron Bed

Verdigris Bed

Unusual Bed

19th C English Half Tester Double Brass Bed Frame

$6,089

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

Recent Sales

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

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

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

Sold

H 90 in W 60 in D 85 in

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

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

Mid-Victorian Cast Iron Half Tester Bed - MHT2

Sold

H 87 in W 55 in D 79 in

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

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

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

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

Sold

H 90 in W 60 in D 85 in

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

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

Sold

H 90 in W 60 in D 88 in

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

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

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$1,750

H 73 in W 78 in D 3 in

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Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Beds and Bed Frames

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H 35.44 in W 70.87 in D 94.49 in

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Located in Florence, Tuscany

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H 100 in W 78 in D 84 in

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H 31.5 in W 118.12 in D 39.38 in

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American Mahogany Classical Acanthus Carved Four Poster Tester Bed. Circa 1815

$36,000Sale Price|40% Off

H 119 in W 82.5 in D 60 in

American Mahogany Classical Acanthus Carved Four Poster Tester Bed. Circa 1815

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Located in Charleston, SC

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$92,729

H 141.74 in W 247.25 in D 154.73 in

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Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

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Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Panelling

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Genoese Bed In Painted Iron, Width 145cm, Early 19th Century

$3,828

H 71.86 in W 57.09 in D 78.75 in

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Located in MARSEILLE, FR

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John Dickinson ‘Twig’ King Size Four Poster Bed

$76,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 88 in W 82 in D 90 in

John Dickinson ‘Twig’ King Size Four Poster Bed

By John Dickinson

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

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Liceu de Artes e Ofícios. 19th Century Daybed

$32,000

H 43.31 in W 90.56 in D 30.32 in

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Located in Sao Paulo, SP

This recamier/daybed was conceived and executed with utmost quality and expertise, showing a style that incorporates many influences from the eigtheenth and ninetheenth century. Made...

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Four Poster Byron Bed with Carved Posts, Panel Headboard and Flame Finials

$11,550 / item

H 94 in W 65 in D 88 in

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Located in Tiverton, RI

The Byron is a theatrical piece, as shown it is carefully hand ebonized creating a graphic symmetry. It is shown in our specialty honey stained maple finish with hand painted ebony d...

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Questions About Iron Half Tester Bed

What is a half tester bed?
1 Answer
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.
What does half-tester bed mean?
1 Answer
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.