Poster Beds 4 posters, Kings, and Queen poster beds.

History of Four Poster Beds and Colonial Four Poster Beds

History of Four Poster Beds

It is believed that the first four poster beds were made in Austria during the 15th century. They were made in order to guard the sleeper from pests, insects and drafts. The first true four poster bed that had canopy on top with four massive posts was Tudor four poster bed.

The Tudor four poster bed was huge, with immense, splendidly carved posts, sometimes with a diameter of 18 inches, holding the enormous weight of wooden paneled canopy. Richly carved back of the Tudor four poster bed was sometimes secured to a panel on the wall. The elaborate carvings on the bed usually displayed the husband’s and wife’s family coat of arms made from metals, Griffins, Cupids, knights and monsters. The tapestries and drapes used were profoundly embroidered in fabulous colors and interesting designs. Lords used take their four poster beds along with them while visiting manors. Portable beds were commonly referred to as “trussing beds” and the hangings were called the portable chamber.

During the centuries, the bed is considered to be most important element in a home and is seen as a sign of wealth. In today’s world, even after the 600 years since the first four poster bed was introduced, most people still desire to be the owner of a four poster bed. Many well known hotels, which cater to rich patrons, realize the true value of having four poster beds in their rooms. They know that sleeping in an enormous four poster bed is an experience their guests will cherish forever and that it will entice them to visit again and again.

Four Poster Beds and Antique Four Poster Beds are rightly referred to as “The King of Bed and The Bed of Kings”.

History of Colonial Four Poster Beds

The British East India Company, that started to colonize India from the 17th century, established their capital in Calcutta, now known as Kolkatta. Calcutta was strategically a very important city and a popular trading and was used by The East India Company as base to expand the British rule and to protect their interests. Therefore, huge numbers of British troops were posted in Calcutta. In 1858, The East India Company transferred its rule to the Crown and The British Raj came into existence in most parts of India. The rulers under The British Raj were very prosperous people and they were very much impressed and influenced by British style of living. So they appointed the most excellent craftsmen to make great pieces of home furniture which also included beds. The most impressive of the different types of furniture made by them were four poster beds. The local rulers such as Rajas, Maharajas and Nawabs ordered number of four poster beds for their palaces.

Many wonderful antique four poster beds that you see nowadays were originally made in India during the 19th century for the high ranking officers like Generals of The British Raj and for the Indian Kings and Nawabs. Trading restrictions were imposed on these antique colonial four poster beds due to which they were not available in the market for more than 100 years. They were made by using good quality wood such as rosewood, Burma teak and mahogany in the Victorian style as per the demands of the British Officers posted in India.

The Colonial Four Poster Beds were carved in different types of sizes sometimes in very big sizes. This was probably to cope with the heat during the Indian summers. Mosquito nets were originally used to cover these colonial four poster beds, but today traditional tapestries and drapes are used to provide a modern look. Today, these colonial four poster beds are carefully restore in order to protect the original art work and then are polished with wax for a natural sheen.