So many people have told us that they ended up choosing modern reproductions either because they do not have the time to search the antiques shops, bazaar’s and markets or when they do find them, there is only one – leaving them to make “a take it or leave it” decision .  As it was then so it can be now.   This is exactly why we began our specialised business.  This interest started when a 13 year old boy found an old bed and his grandfather taught him how to polish brass.  That one bed is 30 years ago and neither he nor his grandfather would have dreamed it would lead onto him having a collection of approximately 16 tonnes of original brass and iron beds including spare parts. History continues to be the most important part of our restorations and that not only includes dating these beds but also where possible passing on the beds own personal family history.   One of the little extras we aim for when it is finally bought and restored and delivered to its new owners.   Some beds having extremely interesting stories to go with them our most recent story also came with photos and shows the bed end used as a “poddy calf” feeder.  We are certain that the bed artisan would never have guessed this extra usage when he made and designed his beautiful brass bed.

Everyone loves choice, especially antique lovers but choice in a specialised field such as brass beds is a luxury and not readily found.  Our clients come to us so they may enjoy the luxury of choice, as they walk through the door. They can see a range of beds….single to double……from the old 1860’s iron cameo and three leaf clover styles through to the turn of the century and end of Brass and Nickel bed era following the depression years.  Brass Bed choice was further narrowed during the 1930’s and 1940’s when many old beds were thrown on the scrap ironmonger wagons and given up to support the war effort, where their value as scrap metal escalated, these in turn were melted down and became artillery in World War 2.

Despite all of this, there somehow still remains choices….there are beds with and without porcelains.  Not only are bed style choices important but also the adornments that go with them.   So to also be offered a personal preference of colour and styles take this to the next level. Mother of Pearl was also used and is all but a lost art in restoring and recreating the delicate patterns.  Mother of Pearl often was in place of porcelain; however more top of the range beds used both Mother of Pearl and Porcelain to adorn the beds. The most common problem found now with these bed styles is that the glue has dried and the mother of pearl gradually fell away, unless the bed has been well looked after by its various owners and kept well away from moisture.

Choice is everything.   Lately our clients are seeking the more elaborate styles of Double Bow Front (Serpentine), Single Bow Fronts, Mother of Pearl, All Brass.  They are requesting beds be made from original bed parts to match a bed they already own…..this is truly a challenge when dealing with such old rusty raw material.  Wonderful requests that people love them so much but this is where we do not have the same luxury we offer to them…we do not have the luxury of modern day convenience to simply phone a supplier and place and order.  Hours, weeks and months can be spent just finding a couple of pieces to fit the final puzzle.

And finally for one of our old customers who now resides overseas.  His bed was damaged in shipping, and he requested that all the brass pieces be shipped back to us to be repaired, repolished and restored again.  His luxury of choice was trusting in the knowledge that he knew the workmanship and old fashioned values of the artisan that the repair job would be done right.