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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

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ROCOCO STYLE POLYCHROMED WHITE-PAINTED KING HEADBOARD 61 x 73 in. (154.9 x 185.4 cm.)
Apr 22, 10:00 AM EDT
ROCOCO STYLE POLYCHROMED WHITE-PAINTED KING HEADBOARD 61 x 73 in. (154.9 x 185.4 cm.)
by Potomack Company
Est: $100- $200
$602 Bids
KING SIZE POSTER BED WITH TOILE HEADBOARD
Apr 27, 11:00 AM CDT
KING SIZE POSTER BED WITH TOILE HEADBOARD
by Lewis & Maese Antiques & Auctions
Est: $1,000- $2,000
$4501 Bid
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White Dove P.M. Full Size Mattress
Apr 23, 6:00 PM EDT
White Dove P.M. Full Size Mattress
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$31 Bid
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
$201 Bid
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Modern work (20th century) Daybed
Apr 23, 6:00 PM CEST
Modern work (20th century) Daybed
by Piasa
Est: €700- €900
€7000 Bids
Bedroom set. Bedside tables and headboard, 20th century
Apr 25, 5:00 PM CEST
Bedroom set. Bedside tables and headboard, 20th century
by Duran Arte y Subastas
Est: €0- €0
€500 Bids
Tiger Maple Reverse-Bell Low Four Poster Bed, Contemporary
Apr 26, 9:30 AM EDT
Tiger Maple Reverse-Bell Low Four Poster Bed, Contemporary
by Rafael Osona Auctions
Est: $1,000- $2,000
$5000 Bids
early 20th Cent. bedroom suite in burr of walnut with inlay (wood and
Apr 26, 11:00 AM CEST
early 20th Cent. bedroom suite in burr of walnut with inlay (wood and
by DVC
Est: €10- €200
€100 Bids
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A Queen Anne Style Headboard Frame
Apr 27, 10:00 AM CDT
A Queen Anne Style Headboard Frame
by Rivich Auction
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
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Flamed Mahogany Art Deco Twin Beds, Pair
Apr 27, 10:00 AM CDT
Flamed Mahogany Art Deco Twin Beds, Pair
by Rivich Auction
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids
MID-CENTURY BRUSHED STEEL HEADBOARD
Apr 24, 11:00 AM EDT
MID-CENTURY BRUSHED STEEL HEADBOARD
by Westport Auction
Est: $10- $10,000
$100 Bids
Rare brass bed with floral decoration
Apr 23, 4:00 PM CEST
Rare brass bed with floral decoration
by Templum Fine Art Auctions
Est: €1,200- €1,400
€7000 Bids
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
Bed headboard
Apr 30, 3:00 PM CEST
Bed headboard
by Unicart Auctions
Est: €1,200- €2,200
€2000 Bids
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Black Metal Twin Bed
Apr 23, 6:00 PM EDT
Black Metal Twin Bed
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$30 Bids
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Drexel Trasitional Group Twin Bed
Apr 23, 6:00 PM EDT
Drexel Trasitional Group Twin Bed
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$30 Bids
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Wood & Wicker Twin Bed with Rails
Apr 23, 6:00 PM EDT
Wood & Wicker Twin Bed with Rails
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$30 Bids
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Wood & Wicker Twin Bed w/ Rails
Apr 23, 6:00 PM EDT
Wood & Wicker Twin Bed w/ Rails
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$30 Bids
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Queen Size Box Spring
Apr 23, 6:00 PM EDT
Queen Size Box Spring
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$30 Bids
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Walnut Full-Size Sleigh Bed w/ Rails
Apr 23, 6:00 PM EDT
Walnut Full-Size Sleigh Bed w/ Rails
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$30 Bids
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Beauty Rest DreamWell Queen Size Mattress & Box Spring
Apr 23, 6:00 PM EDT
Beauty Rest DreamWell Queen Size Mattress & Box Spring
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$30 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Beds - General


Apple Tree Auction Center

Apple Tree Auction Center

Neal Auction Company

Neal Auction Company

Litchfield Auctions

Litchfield Auctions

Westport Auction

Westport Auction