It came as pictured -- easy to assemble. 
The only complaint I have is that I purchased this headboard by this particular brand because I also have the Zinus bed frame which one would think was made to compliment this headboard, however, the headboard does not even properly connect to the bed frame which is extremely confusing and frustrating because now I have to find a way to drill my own holes to make the two attach!! NOT SMART ZINUS!!