Mughal Raj Four Poster Bed Anglo Indian Portuguese Baroque Lisbon Bed
$6,500.00
Indo Portuguese Mughal Raj queen Bed, Anglo Indian hand-carved Bed.
Baroque Lisbon style queen four poster bed in ebony dark black finish.
Often known as a Raj bed, the bed is hand made by craftsmen and carvers in India.
The head of the bed has an intricate Moorish arched shape with a heavily carved head panel.
One of a kind custom made to order queen bed.
Dimensions: 60 in.wide x 81 in. length x 86 in. poster height.
Screen head panel height: 71 inches.
Bed height: 17"
Anglo Indian Raj tester or canopy bed. Hand made from solid wood with intricate carvings throughout.
Features a Moorish shaped headboard with interwoven and pierced floral and geometric designs.
Hand carved with elaborate details, spiral turned top post, open wood work, and Moorish details represented by the repetition of arches. It is hand carved from solid wood. This bed is a current representation of Indo-Portuguese furniture. An era long passed and almost lost. Indo-Portuguese beginnings Moorish architecture is a variation of Islamic architecture. It developed as a group of individuals of Islamic faith spread from the Middle East to the Maghreb, an area which included parts of North Africa and Spain and POrtugal. Their architecture was noted for its unique characteristics, a result of the intertwined influences of culture and religion. Some of the most prominent examples of Moorish architecture can be found in Spain with most built between the beginning of the 12th century and the end of the 16th century. With this new cultural influence there came an advancement of ornamental art especially in Northern India. Resulting in carved furniture influenced by the styles and fashion from Arab states, Turkey and Persia. Cabinet and furniture making had a turning point during this period. Introducing elaborately carved wood and chest with inlay work, brass corners, metal rosette and knobs. The concept of more useful furniture such as the dressing table was discovered in Indian during this period. The Portuguese where the masters of navigation and conquest and started settlements on the Western coast of India. One being Goa in 1510 and in 1530 it became the capital of the Portuguese Eastern Empire. It was in Goa that the Portuguese were introduced to the blacksmiths and the art of carpentry, carving, and joinery. Likewise the Indians crossed to Lisbon and learned the techniques of the Portuguese and that was the beginning of Indo-Portuguese furniture. By the end of the 17th century the Goans had Indian influences meshed with the Western Era architecture. The locals had a desire for artistic furniture. Tables, benches, chairs, rocking chairs, easy chairs, stools, sofas, beds, day beds, cupboards, cabinet and chest came to be in favor as known today as Indo-Portuguese furniture. As trade heightened this type of furniture spread throughout Europe. When the 20th century came many where drawn to more simple lines and this style fell out of favor and many of the craftsmen that had passed along these techniques generation to generation where no more. Today there are a few artisans who are practicing this craft. This bed is a current representation of an era and craftsman long passed.