If you are enchanted with the idea of an antique bed, there is indeed much to consider. The styles are varied, and your first choice would be wood or metal. Timber beds go right back to the Renaissance period and a solid Victorian four-poster would make for a wonderful investment, while metal-framed beds came into play around the mid-19th century.
Stamps, Impressions & Marks
The metal framed bed should have some kind of mark, which might be in the form of a maker’s stamp, a lot number, or just a date, so you should thoroughly examine a frame if you are thinking of making a purchase.
Brass Beds
The
ultimate in style and elegance, a brass Edwardian double bed would
make a great investment, with elegant porcelain castors for easy movement, and
engraved brass as a decorative feature. If a brass bed is well-made, it will
last for many years and if it is an antique, it has already endured a century
of use.
The Classic Four-Poster
It is
hardly surprising that four-posters are in great demand, and with superb
mahogany creations and brass designs, there are many styles. This would be a
considerable investment, but a wise one nevertheless, as fine four-poster beds
are always in demand. A colonial, square style might be just the thing, or you
might prefer a solid Victorian mahogany design, which was built to last and is
the ideal choice for the romantic lover of fine furniture.
Buying From A Reputable Antique Dealer
If you
know nothing about antique beds, an online search will take you to a list of
antique dealers worth checking out. You are bound to find one where you can
view a wide range of timber and metal antique and vintage beds. The dealer
would know a great deal about each item’s history, plus you can rest assured
that an established dealer would only sell genuine antiques. In the event you
are looking for something very specific, the dealer would be able to help, as
he would have an online network with all UK dealers, all he needs are a few
details.
Authentic Or Reproduction?
The easiest way to find out if what you are looking at is the real thing is by looking at the antique beds online on LoveAntiques.com, a leading UK dealer with an extensive catalogue of fine antiques covering every period. Unless you really know your stuff, you could end up paying a lot for a good reproduction, and a considerable investment demands professional appraisal. As a general rule, any bed made from aluminium is a reproduction, as cast-iron was mainly used with antique frames, along with brass, which looks stunning.
There
are many good reproductions, so do be careful when you are looking at auctions
and other places, and buying from a respected antique dealer is the best way to
ensure the item is genuine. Consider your bed as more than just a comfortable
sleeping platform, as it is also a good long-term investment. As with all
genuine antiques, the greatest of care should be taken to ensure that the item
is in good order.
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