Loading Spinner

Beds - General

The earliest beds were made of piled straw or other natural materials such as animal skins or palm leaves. Perhaps the first written account of a bed appears in “The Odyssey,” in which Odysseus sleeps on a charpoy, a raised bed of woven rope with a wooden frame. Imagery of beds in art can be dated back to Ancient Greece, where folding beds appear on the famous vase paintings. Ancient Egyptian nobles ascended to their wood and gilt beds via steps.

The 17th century has been referred to as "the century of magnificent beds" because of the extravagant styles used by European royalty. The style “a la duchesse” included a four-poster bed with ornate curtains at the head. As many as 413 beds were inventoried in the palaces of Louis XIV, each one sumptuous, some embroidered with pearls. The "bed of justice" custom was born during this time, credited to Louis XI. The custom was that the King of France would recline on this sumptuous bed while present in parliament with the princes seated, great officials standing, and lesser officials kneeling.

Over the course of centuries, there have been several notable beds that have deviated from norms of the time. Made circa 1580, the Great Bed of Ware is one of the largest beds in the world at 10.7 feet wide and 11.1 feet long. It can be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Around 1865, a convertible bed in the form of an upright piano was made available, providing home entertainment while also saving space. Today, bed sizes vary in material and size, from the smallest cot mattresses to the largest King mattresses with variations such as water beds and murphy beds.

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

bp parity badge
Cherry Sleigh Bed w/ Rails & Slats, Queen Size
Apr 30, 6:00 PM EDT
Cherry Sleigh Bed w/ Rails & Slats, Queen Size
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$209 Bids
bp parity badge
Vibrant Life Luxe Cuddler Mattress Edition Dog Bed
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Vibrant Life Luxe Cuddler Mattress Edition Dog Bed
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$127 Bids
Indian style daybed on timber castors (91 x 76 x 169cm)
May 01, 10:00 AM AEST
Indian style daybed on timber castors (91 x 76 x 169cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD607 Bids
bp parity badge
Draper James Large Dog Bed
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Draper James Large Dog Bed
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$136 Bids
bp parity badge
Grey w/ Stars Dog Bed, for Small Dogs 18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm.)
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Grey w/ Stars Dog Bed, for Small Dogs 18 x 18 in. (45.7 x 45.7 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$105 Bids
bp parity badge
Frisco 22” Quilted Fleece Pet Bed & Crate Mat
Apr 30, 5:30 PM EDT
Frisco 22” Quilted Fleece Pet Bed & Crate Mat
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$63 Bids
Modern Contemporary Polished Steel and Brass Daybed
May 08, 10:00 AM CDT
Modern Contemporary Polished Steel and Brass Daybed
by Neal Auction Company
Est: $500- $700
$302 Bids
bp parity badge
Oak Queen Size Bed w/ Rails
Apr 30, 6:00 PM EDT
Oak Queen Size Bed w/ Rails
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$32 Bids
Rococo-Style Mahogany Bedstead
May 08, 10:00 AM CDT
Rococo-Style Mahogany Bedstead
by Neal Auction Company
Est: $700- $1,000
$201 Bid
bed chair, blanket box and bed head (bed head: 124 x 164 x 7 cm) (box : 45 x150 x 42 cm)
May 06, 7:00 PM AEST
bed chair, blanket box and bed head (bed head: 124 x 164 x 7 cm) (box : 45 x150 x 42 cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD151 Bid
bp parity badge
Ashley King Size Bed Frame w/ Rails
Apr 30, 6:00 PM EDT
Ashley King Size Bed Frame w/ Rails
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$31 Bid
A pair of carved, gilt and lacquered headboards,
May 13, 10:00 AM BST
A pair of carved, gilt and lacquered headboards,
by Sworders
Est: £300- £500
£2400 Bids
A Turn-of-The Century Double Size Norzagaray Four-Poster Bed
May 03, 11:00 AM PST
A Turn-of-The Century Double Size Norzagaray Four-Poster Bed
by Leon Gallery
Est: ₱100,000- ₱130,000
₱100,0000 Bids
Custom Made Hand Carved White Painted Headboard
May 01, 12:00 PM EDT
Custom Made Hand Carved White Painted Headboard
by Greenwich Auction
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
Pair Custom Made Custom Upholstered Headboards
May 01, 12:00 PM EDT
Pair Custom Made Custom Upholstered Headboards
by Greenwich Auction
Est: $300- $600
$2000 Bids
Navy style bunk bed with two side pieces
May 09, 5:00 PM CEST
Navy style bunk bed with two side pieces
by ArtLaRosa
Est: €250- €0
€2500 Bids
Brass and Painted Cast Iron Bed
May 10, 9:00 AM EDT
Brass and Painted Cast Iron Bed
by Ivy Auctions
Est: $60- $100
$300 Bids
bp parity badge
PAIR OF MAHOGANY SINGLE BEDS
May 02, 12:00 PM EDT
PAIR OF MAHOGANY SINGLE BEDS
by Dennis Auction Service
Est: $150- $300
$500 Bids
A WHITE PAINTED DOG BED IN THE FORM OF A PALLADIAN BUILDING, MODERN
May 13, 10:30 AM BST
A WHITE PAINTED DOG BED IN THE FORM OF A PALLADIAN BUILDING, MODERN
by Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Est: £400- £600
£4000 Bids
Contemporary Wrought Steel Canopy Bed
May 08, 10:00 AM CDT
Contemporary Wrought Steel Canopy Bed
by Neal Auction Company
Est: $500- $700
$200 Bids
CHIPPENDALE STYLE CARVED MAHOGANY BED
May 16, 10:00 AM CDT
CHIPPENDALE STYLE CARVED MAHOGANY BED
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $150- $350
$1000 Bids
PAUL FRANKL KING SIZE BED HEADBOARD. ARCHED TOP.
May 06, 10:00 AM EDT
PAUL FRANKL KING SIZE BED HEADBOARD. ARCHED TOP.
by Uniques & Antiques
Est: $150- $250
$1250 Bids
French Louis Philippe Style Cherry Sleigh Bed, 20th c., H.- 40 in., W- 55 in., L.- 70 in.
May 16, 10:00 AM CDT
French Louis Philippe Style Cherry Sleigh Bed, 20th c., H.- 40 in., W- 55 in., L.- 70 in.
by Crescent City Auction Gallery
Est: $400- $600
$3000 Bids
Italian Marquetry Head Board
May 13, 11:00 AM EDT
Italian Marquetry Head Board
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $100- $1,000
$500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Beds - General


Apple Tree Auction Center

Apple Tree Auction Center

Lawsons

Lawsons

San Luca Casa d'Aste

San Luca Casa d'Aste

Neal Auction Company

Neal Auction Company