So what is it that really elevates the value of an antique iron bed? Above all else……… it’s “rarity”.
The fewer times I’ve seen a bed means it was probably not a practical design to continue to produce. That’s even the case with manufacturers of reproductions today. Their main concern is the bottom line and how much iron and castings need to be poured to achieve the design. Fancy scrolled beds are far more problematic today than they were back in the 1800’s. You wouldn’t think that was the case. But back in the 1800’s, there was far more pride taken in the beds a foundry would produce. Often a single bed frame would take the entire day to cut, curve, and pour the castings. Today there are manufacturers turning out hundreds of beds a day and little time is put into the detail that the smaller foundries took back in the 1800’s. Craftsmanship was a very valued commodity in the 1800’s. A mans value was wrapped up in his abilities and for a foundry worker it was no different…….the craftsmanship it took to make the better calibre antique iron beds beds that are still around and as strong as the day they were made, was something they took great pride in. Unfortunately …not so the case today.
“One of A Kind” Commission beds were beds that affluent members of society would have foundries design and make for them. Often with the strict understanding that the mould for the castings would be destroyed after the bed was produced……thus achieving a “one of kind” status. For back then, it was a heavy price to pay to have a bed designed and built. As would be the case today, if you were lucky enough to find someone with the ability to make one.
I’m the very proud owner of two such “Commission” beds. They were both birthday presents for my daughters when they were younger. If sold …… each one could buy a car with the proceeds. They are incredible beds and its easy to see why neither one of them would have been practical to have gone into full production with. The cost to produce them would have been quite prohibitive and impractical. But I’m sure their was a certain “cache” for a foundry to be able to say they designed and built a “one of a kind” for a Vanderbilt or a Ford or a Rockefeller. So would be the case today .
“One of a Kind” commission beds are the absolute best investment a person could ever hope for. They will always continue to go up in value. As beds of that nature quickly run out…….the prices on all of them will skyrocket. But the “commission” bed will be untouchable……….
I hope you’ve found this blog informative . I invite you to revisit my website
to answer any and all questions you might have about antique iron beds.
I also invite you to take a look at our company Face Book page for multiple photo albums on Custom Finishes, Canopy Conversions and a comprehensive “Before & After” King Conversions album.
