One of the more popular conversions we’re asked to make on our iron beds is a “four poster” conversion. Some confuse this with a “canopy conversion” which has much tall posts that connect at the top with four horizontal poles.
Four poster beds have always been very popular and the majority of the ones made back in the 1800’s have now been restored and reside in private collections. Their collectibility lays in the rarity of how many were made and the pleasingly unique design that they feature. The thing that has always made these beds more collectible than others is how few were made 
and how good the individual castings are. For some odd reason it seems as though the majority of the original “four poster” beds all had extremely detailed castings……usually far greater than the majority of the iron beds being manufactured at the same time. I’ve never really been able to determine why this was the case. Other than the possibility that the foundries that turned out “four poster” beds, usually made an overall better quality bed.
When we convert a bed to “four poster”, we can do any bed we have in our inventory….whether it’s a very plain Austere/Craftsman style or a very elaborate fancy Victorian style. All beds look better as a “four poster”……. it’s a universal upgrade for most of them. Few beds would look better without a four poster conversion. The round four poster beds I have a photo of here, is an original….not one we converted. Yet the small close up is of one we did. When done properly it’s impossible to tell an original four poster from a conversion.
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.
