Bed frame
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Early bed frames
Some of the earliest bed frames are known from the Sumerian culture. Ancient Egyptian beds have been found in well-preserved condition, dating to well over 6000 years before the present time. The bed frames of the early dynastic period are made of wood and can vary in craftsmanship from mere branches lashed together, to fine works of art.
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Brass beds
Brass beds are beds in which the headboard and footboard are made of brass; the frame rails are usually made of steel. The ratio of metals may vary between manufacturers.
Initially, brass beds boasted a minimalist and straightforward design. Throughout the centuries, designs have become increasingly elaborate and can contain extensive ornamentation, such as porcelain finials. Some brass bed styles include traditional, Art Deco, Victorian, transitional, Edwardian and contemporary.
Iron beds
Iron beds are beds in which the headboard and footboard are made of iron; the frame rails are usually made of steel. Iron beds were developed in 17th century Italy to address concerns about infestation by bed bugs and moths. An iron cradle (with dangerously pointed corner posts) has been dated to 1620–1640. From the start of their production in the 1850s until World War I, iron beds were handmade. The manufacturing process included hand pouring and polishing intricately detailed casting and hand applying finishes. In the many small foundries of the time that employed only a handful of employees, it could take days to produce a single bed.
Following the conclusion of World War I, the methodologies employed for mass production during the war had a substantial impact on the iron industry. The erstwhile handmade craftsmanship gradually yielded to the adoption of cost-efficient mass production techniques.
Today's iron beds are constructed of cold roll, heavy-gauge steel tubing and solid bar stock.
Almost all iron beds now have a beech wood sprung slatted base in a steel framework which gives support to all types of mattresses.
Wooden drawer beds
These beds have a wooden framework resembling a box, designed to accommodate the mattress within a carved-out space, and have wooden drawers beneath the mattress area.