Revisiting, for those of you that may have missed it, one of the absolute best antique iron and brass beds I’ve ever come across. Every time I see this incredible work of art, it always reminds me of the 1968 hit “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” by……… the rock group ……”Iron Butterfly”. What could be more appropriate.
The bed was made in very, very limited numbers for a couple of reasons : (1) although beautiful in design, it had a limited audience with people who were fond enough of “butterflies” to want one displayed on their bed. (2) It was a technically difficult bed to pour in a foundry. The “large filigree wings”, required a real artisan to pour a mold as large. (3) Although iron beds cost far less that their competitive counterpart “brass beds”, a bed of this intricacy and detailing, would have been at the top of the price scale of the day. (4) Anything of this size, weight and detail would be a nightmare to ship, back in the early to mid 1800’s.
The photo you see here of the “Butterfly” ,bed was only the second time in 5o years of being in the antique iron bed business, that I’ve seen one. We did this one in a antique custom finish to mimic the green patina on the Statue of Liberty. The wings and castings were done in a “Black Silver” wash, to help highlight their incredible detailing.
This is truly one of the most collectable and valuable antique iron and brass beds , you’ll ever see.
