This is one of the rarest twin size iron beds I’ve ever come across. It has large “Rams” head castings on the four corners. It’s easily the heaviest twin size bed I’ve ever encountered. That is due to the size and number of castings. Usually twin size beds are much more delicate and feminine. This bed is everything but delicate and feminine. If you look closely in the photo you’ll see that the foot castings are large claw feet…….similar to the “claw feet” on round oak “claw foot” tables back in the 1800’s.
The large castings going across the top are decorative Victorian drapings. They were used quite a bit in the design of furniture and wall coverings throughout the Victorian Era.
Most beds, doubles and twins, were being made with 1″ diameter thick wall tubing. This particular bed was constructed with 1 1/8″ thick wall tubing and instead of the traditional 3/8″ solid rod interior, it has a 1/2″ solid rod interior. Those size differences my seem slight and insignificant. But when you take into account how much heavier they are………they’re quite substantial. The rods and tubing have to be bigger and heavier to structural hold the enormous castings that were designed for this particular one. The head and foot board weighed over 100 lbs each.
There is a good possibility this bed was what we refer to as a “commission” bed. They were beds that people would commission the manufacturer to design and then, for a premium price, agree to make just one. In the “contract” to construct the piece, it was understood that only one would be constructed…….making it a “one of a kind”. This was insured by the foundry agreeing to break all the cast molds that had been poured.
As far as twin size beds go……..this is really one of the best I’ve ever seen.
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