A French Curve is the outer side pole of an antique iron bed that curves out beyond the normal double width of the bed. Most iron beds from the early to mid 1800’s measured approximately 53″ to 54″ wide. I’ve actually had some that had the “French Curve” sides that measured as much as 60″ from the outside curve on one side to the outside curve on the other.
Why it was tagged the “French Curve” I can’t say. But suffice it to say……. the French never had “French Curves” on their beds from that same time period. I have to believe that because the French did incorporate an abundance of soft flowing curved designs throughout the interior of their beds and the Art Nouveau period had the most beautiful flowing designs ever seen, we just naturally coined this little curved design element French
Although the majority of the French Curve beds I’ve had used primarily 1″ tubing, as you can see in one of these photo’s it was also possible to construct them with the thinner 3/8″ solid rod top beds. Either way…….a bed that has a “French Curve” usually is a pretty good bed.
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