What is the history of Anglo-Indian four poster beds?

Anglo-Indian four poster beds were produced during the British colonial period in India, primarily throughout the 19th century. Native craftsmen combined Western Victorian furniture forms with traditional Indian woodcarving techniques and dense local timber varieties like teak and imported mahogany.

What materials were traditionally used in Anglo-Indian bed construction?

These bedsteads were predominantly constructed from solid hardwoods such as mahogany, rosewood, and teak due to their durability in tropical climates. Joinery relied on traditional mortise and tenon joints, accompanied by hand-carved decorative elements and turned spindles.

How can authentic 19th-century Anglo-Indian furniture be identified?

Authentic pieces feature dense, heavy timbers, hand-cut joinery, and distinct carved motifs combining European motifs like acanthus leaves with Indian floral patterns. Hand-turned posts and original frame construction marks also distinguish period pieces from reproduction furniture.

How can a mahogany four poster bed be styled in a modern interior?

A large four poster bed acts as a structural focal point in a master bedroom suite. Balance the visual weight of dark mahogany wood by pairing it with light, neutral wall paint, crisp linen bedding, and minimal contemporary bedside lighting.

How should antique mahogany furniture be cleaned and maintained?

Maintain the finish by dusting regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth along the grain. Apply a high-quality beeswax polish once or twice a year, avoiding silicone-based sprays, and keep the piece away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent timber shrinkage.

for sale €10,472 $11,367

£8,950

Yolanda Gray Antiques

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Id #SA1235031

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Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

Name: Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1235031
Price: 8950 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Yolanda Gray Antiques

Description

Summary:

· Item: Antique Anglo-Indian Four Poster Bed

· Circa: 1860

· Period: Victorian

· Provenance: Anglo-Indian, Colonial Raj

· Wood: Mahogany

· Maximum mattress size: 5ft 8” wide by 6ft 9” long (maximum size)

· Fits a UK king size mattress (5ft wide by 6ft 6” long) if slats are lowered

· Luxury quality mattresses available

· Superior two-tier structure

· Protruding moulded canopy

· Four elegant fluted posts

· British Lion & Unicorn carved crown

· Triple panel floral carved headboard

· Blind fretwork bed side rails & frame – sign of quality

· Ring turned spindles

· Stunning quality carvings

· Barley twist footboard rail with spindles

· Turned baluster legs

· Dismantles for easy transportation and access

· Original polish & patination

· Rich dark red & brown colours

· Excellent condition

· Muslin draping service available

· Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*

· 14-day free UK returns policy

External Dimensions:

Dimension Centimetres Inches Feet & Inches

External height 239 94⅛" 7' 10⅛"

External length (Canopy) 226 89" 7' 5"

External width (Canopy) 187 73⅝" 6' 1⅝"

External width (Headboard) 185 72⅞" 6' ⅞"

Headboard height (excl. Crown) 125.5 49⅜" 4' 1⅜"

Headboard height (incl. Crown) 169 66½" 5' 6½"

Footboard height 97 38¼" 3' 2¼"

Floor to top of side rails 58 22⅞" 1' 10⅞"

Floor to bottom of side rails 45 17¾" 1' 5¾"

Side rail length 198.5 78⅛" 6' 6⅛"

Side rail depth 13 5⅛" 0' 5⅛"

Around 2-3 inches in total should come off the mattress-length dimensions above. This way, the mattress fits comfortably within the frame, and it still leaves room to tuck in sheets and duvets.

This Victorian four-poster bed fits a standard UK king-size mattress (5ft wide by 6ft 6" long). However, if you lower the slats, the bed provides a better fit for a king-size mattress. This is because lowering reduces the gap between the mattress edge and the side rail. Therefore, this option may suit you best if you already own a good-quality king-size mattress.

Alternatively, you might prefer a wider mattress, or you might rather keep the slats at their original height. In that case, a custom-size mattress offers the best route. Specifically, a custom mattress can match the width of the wooden slats alone. Alternatively, it can extend to cover the side rails too

Price:

The price for this item is £8,950 which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and 14-day free UK returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling).

14-Day free UK Returns & Refunds:

A 14-day free UK “no quibble” returns policy (from the date you receive the item) is available if you are not happy with this item. We will collect the item free of charge from you (we do not charge a return fee / collection fee).

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA and CINOA. Yola Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 45 years.

Physical Dimensions

Height

239cm (94.09")

Width

187cm (73.62")

Depth

226cm (88.98")

Declaration

Yolanda Gray Antiques has dated this Anglo-indian Four Poster Bed to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1235031

Dealers Internal Reference

A273/121005

Dealers Notes

Please contact us on 01829 458 070 or 07960 738 212 to arrange a viewing. Alternatively, please email: info@yolagray.com

Description

Summary:

· Item: Antique Anglo-Indian Four Poster Bed

· Circa: 1860

· Period: Victorian

· Provenance: Anglo-Indian, Colonial Raj

· Wood: Mahogany

· Maximum mattress size: 5ft 8” wide by 6ft 9” long (maximum size)

fig 1. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 1. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

· Fits a UK king size mattress (5ft wide by 6ft 6” long) if slats are lowered

· Luxury quality mattresses available

· Superior two-tier structure

· Protruding moulded canopy

· Four elegant fluted posts

· British Lion & Unicorn carved crown

fig 2. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 2. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

· Triple panel floral carved headboard

· Blind fretwork bed side rails & frame – sign of quality

· Ring turned spindles

· Stunning quality carvings

· Barley twist footboard rail with spindles

· Turned baluster legs

fig 3. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 3. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

· Dismantles for easy transportation and access

· Original polish & patination

· Rich dark red & brown colours

· Excellent condition

· Muslin draping service available

· Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*

fig 4. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 4. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

· 14-day free UK returns policy

External Dimensions:

Dimension Centimetres Inches Feet & Inches

External height 239 94⅛" 7' 10⅛"

External length (Canopy) 226 89" 7' 5"

External width (Canopy) 187 73⅝" 6' 1⅝"

fig 5. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 5. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

External width (Headboard) 185 72⅞" 6' ⅞"

Headboard height (excl. Crown) 125.5 49⅜" 4' 1⅜"

Headboard height (incl. Crown) 169 66½" 5' 6½"

Footboard height 97 38¼" 3' 2¼"

Floor to top of side rails 58 22⅞" 1' 10⅞"

fig 6. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 6. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

Floor to bottom of side rails 45 17¾" 1' 5¾"

Side rail length 198.5 78⅛" 6' 6⅛"

Side rail depth 13 5⅛" 0' 5⅛"

Around 2-3 inches in total should come off the mattress-length dimensions above.

“

This way, the mattress fits comfortably within the frame, and it still leaves room to tuck in sheets and duvets.

Yolanda Gray Antiques

fig 7. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 7. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

This Victorian four-poster bed fits a standard UK king-size mattress (5ft wide by 6ft 6" long). However, if you lower the slats, the bed provides a better fit for a king-size mattress. This is because lowering reduces the gap between the mattress edge and the side rail. Therefore, this option may suit you best if you already own a good-quality king-size mattress.

fig 8. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 8. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

Alternatively, you might prefer a wider mattress, or you might rather keep the slats at their original height. In that case, a custom-size mattress offers the best route. Specifically, a custom mattress can match the width of the wooden slats alone. Alternatively, it can extend to cover the side rails too

fig 9. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 9. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

Price:

The price for this item is £8,950 which includes free delivery to mainland England, Wales & southern Scotland* and 14-day free UK returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling).

fig 10. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 10. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

14-Day free UK Returns & Refunds:

A 14-day free UK “no quibble” returns policy (from the date you receive the item) is available if you are not happy with this item. We will collect the item free of charge from you (we do not charge a return fee / collection fee).

fig 11. An Anglo-Indian mahogany four poster bed featuring carved turned posts, an ornate headboard, and a spindle footboard. — fig 11. Antique Victorian Anglo-indian Mahogany Four Poster Bed - 5ft 8” / King Size / Colonial / Raj (Circa 1860)

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA and CINOA. Yola Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 45 years.