What's the difference between a four-poster and a half-tester?

A four-poster has a post at each corner carrying a canopy frame over the whole bed. A half-tester has no foot posts, and the canopy projects over the head end only. Four-poster titles account for 37 of the 55 listings in the archive. Half-tester appears in 12.

Which timbers do these beds come in?

Mahogany leads, named in 12 titles, with oak next at eight. A group of ten frames is brass, or cast iron and brass. Smaller runs include burr walnut on a half-tester, Dutch walnut with floral marquetry, and Chinese hardwood.

How old are most of the ones listed?

Victorian and 19th Century are the two largest period labels, covering 21 listings between them. Edwardian, 18th Century and 1920s appear in smaller numbers. Seven listings are dated to the 17th century, all oak, with title dates around 1660, 1690 and a span given as c1600 to c1696. Those are the earliest claims in the archive.

Do canopy beds take a modern mattress?

Fit is declared in the title far more often than with other furniture. "Size" appears in 16 listings and "king size" in 14, with super king used as well. Stated widths turn up too, including 6 ft, 5ft 10" and 5ft 7", and one bed advertised as taking a five foot mattress.

Are the curtains usually included?

Rarely. Hangings tend not to travel with the bed, and a single listing in the archive includes drapes, curtains and a bed cover. One four-poster is described simply as being in black.

How many come up on Sellingantiques?

Around eight a year, spread across 24 dealers, so no one dealer carries the category. Pairs are almost unknown. One listing offers two upholstered single four-poster canopy beds together.

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A canopy bed is an antique bedstead with a framework overhead, either a four-poster carrying a full tester across all four corners or a half-tester projecting over the head end alone, built to hold curtains in rooms that were shared and unheated.

19th century

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Antique Four Poster Bed Antique Oak Bed

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19th century

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Regency Mahogany Four Poster Bed

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