How do I measure for a carved oak headboard?

Measure the width of your mattress and bed base to ensure the headboard aligns correctly with the side rails. Account for clearance against skirting boards and wall sockets. Check the height from the floor to the top of the carving to ensure proportions suit your room dimensions.

Are these headboards compatible with modern bed frames?

Many older wooden headboards were built as integrated parts of complete bedsteads rather than standalone panels. Adapting them to fit standard modern metal or wooden frames often requires bespoke brackets. Confirm the fixing points and overall width with the listed dimensions before attempting installation.

How do I care for antique carved oak?

Dust carved surfaces regularly with a soft, dry cloth to prevent dirt settling in the recesses of the relief work. Avoid placing the timber near direct heat sources or strong sunlight. Apply a microcrystalline wax sparingly once or twice a year to nourish the wood and maintain its natural lustre.

How do I distinguish seventeenth-century oak from later revival pieces?

Seventeenth-century examples display hand-cut joinery marks, peg construction, and heavy oxidisation acquired through centuries of exposure. The timber grain often shows distinct medullary rays typical of quarter-sawn English oak. Revival pieces from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries typically feature more uniform machine tooling and lighter timber weight.