Half tester beds, 19th century English and Colonial

A wooden or brass and iron bed, which has tall posts only at the head, supporting a canopy or curtains, and with short posts or no posts at the foot. The tester or canopy thus covers only the top part of the bed. On brass and iron beds the curtain rails are supported by brackets fitted over the top of the posts and held firm with the threaded brass knob. The canopy may be either a half round hoop or have straight arms usually made from brass rod. The half tester bed was sometimes referred to as an 'Italian canopy bed' though the term does not seem to have survived in general use.

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An English mahogany half tester bed, 19th century, 220 cm high,…

19th Century English Mahogany Half Tester Bed

An English mahogany half tester bed, 19th century, 220 cm high, 153 cm wide, 239 cm deep

Australian Colonial cedar half tester bed, Tasmania, late 19th…

Australian Colonial Cedar Half Tester Bed

Australian Colonial cedar half tester bed, Tasmania, late 19th century, the moulded tester with a floral cotton roof and a pair of matching curtains, the footboard with carved medallion depicting pears and berries, height 222 cm width 213 cm depth 143 cm.…

A huon pine half tester bed, Australian, circa 1860, approx.…

1860 Australian Huon Pine Half Tester Bed

A huon pine half tester bed, Australian, circa 1860, approx. 264 cm high, 205 cm wide, 163 cm deep

Colonial kauri half tester bed

Kauri Colonial Half Tester Bed

Colonial kauri half tester bed

Antique mahogany half tester double bed.

Mahogany Half Tester Double Bed - Antique

Antique mahogany half tester double bed.

Early Victorian mahogany half tester bed 6 feet, the canopy…

Victorian Mahogany Half Tester Bed with Brocade Decoration

Early Victorian mahogany half tester bed 6 feet, the canopy with moulded cornice above the turned curtain rail with finial supports. The foot finely carved and moulded with a central oval panel flanked by turned and carved bed posts, raised on bun feet…

19th century cedar half tester bed

Cedar Half Tester Bed from the 19th Century

19th century cedar half tester bed

A mid Victorian flame mahogany half tester bedstead, the arched…

Victorian Flame Mahogany Half Tester Bedstead

A mid Victorian flame mahogany half tester bedstead, the arched carved top, above a padded back with floral upholstery 230 cm high, 138 cm wide, 220 cm deep.

An impressive Colonial kauri & burr totara banded half tester…

Colonial Kauri & Burr Totara Half Tester Double Bed

An impressive Colonial kauri & burr totara banded half tester double bed, headboard and footboard, wooden base and mattress, both ends padded and upholstered. Extensive use of turned galleries and finials. Height 235 cm

A mahogany half tester bed, English, mid 19th century

Mid 19th Century English Mahogany Half Tester Bed

A mahogany half tester bed, English, mid 19th century