FOUR-POSTER BED

Aside from maybe an occasional afternoon nap on the duchesse brisée or antique caned chaise longue, at bedtime, a 16th- century, oak-framed ‘tester’ bed takes centre stage in this guest bedroom. Originating in the 14th century, tester beds are distinguished by an overhead canopy – a testrum in medieval Latin, derived in turn from the Latin for covering: testa. Made from either wood, fabric, or both, the tester bed is supported either by four corner posts (hence the name ‘four-poster’), or by two posts at the foot and a large headboard. Notable variations include the tester being suspended from the ceiling above, and the half-tester, in which the canopy projects from a headboard approximately one third the full length of the bed.