Four Poster Bed c. 1940

Peter C. Ustinoff rendered this four poster bed with delicate precision in the early 20th century. The bed, simple in its construction, features prominently four posts, a symbol deeply rooted in cultural memory. These posts, rising like pillars, evoke a sense of structure, stability, and even sacredness. We see echoes of this symbolism in ancient temples and the canopies of royal thrones, spaces set apart. Think, too, of the four Evangelists whose words form the pillars of the Christian faith. Here, the bed frame, a haven for rest and dreams, takes on a similar kind of symbolic weight. This isn’t just furniture; it is a stage for the dramas of human existence: birth, love, illness, and death. The bed's four posts, in their silent witness, remind us that even in our most private moments, we are participating in an age-old narrative. The motif transcends mere utility, resonating with our deepest fears and hopes. This bed becomes a powerful emblem of human vulnerability and resilience.