The most common type of bed used in India is a charpoy, which literally means 'four legs'. This example is painted with flowers on a light ground. A charpoy consists of four turned or carved legs joined or bound to a rectangular frame. Ibn Batuta’s description of a charpoy written in the mid 14th century still applies today: ‘The bed consists of four conical legs, on which four staves are laid; between they plait a sort of ribbon of silk or cotton.’ In cheaper models, the frame was netted with rope made from rushes, while finer examples were laced with comfortable broad canvas tape.

Materials used in the construction of charpoys varied from inexpensive bamboo and wood to ivory, but in all cases the form remained the same. Cot legs were ornamented with a number of techniques including painting and carving. A more extravagant effect was created by encasing wooden charpoy legs and frames in sheets of silver and gold encrusted with semi-precious stones.