Religion is not something you’d normally associate with iron beds. But……..throughout time there is very little that religion hasn’t had some influence in in some way or another.
Whether in architecture, furniture design or clothing, we have always chosen to display our beliefs in a visual manner……be it subtle or demonstrative. The two topics most uncomfortable to talk about with strangers, unless you’re friends or know their beliefs, are religion and politics.
So it really comes as no surprise that designers of antique iron beds, back in the 1800’s, were also influence by and offered styles that had been influenced by religious themes and architecture.
The bed in this photo is one I’ve come across a number of times in the past 40 years. Regarding it’s quality, structure and design……it’s definitely in the upper 75% of good beds. The castings are nicely detailed and the designer has gone to the trouble of even using detailed foot castings, something not all foundries bothered with.
Another good point in this beds design are the number of interior vertical rods (7). Many beds sneak by with just (5).
Have you detected the religious influence of the design on this bed? If you haven’t, you probably aren’t a devout church goer. The interior design of this bed reflect the “Gothic Cathedral Arches” seen in most churches. It is a definite architectural design used throughout most churches. Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the medieval period and throughout the Victorian era. Gothic architecture is most familiar as the architecture of many of the great cathedrals, abbeys and churches of Europe. It is also the architecture of many castles, palaces, guild halls, universities and to a less prominent extent, private dwellings. Gothic architecture was expressed most powerfully in the great churches and cathedrals throughout Europe. Because this country became home to many immigrants that relocated from Europe, it was only natural that they would bring with them, those styles, designs and architecture they had been influenced by.
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.
