Page 148 - Christie's Fine Chinese Paintings March 19 2019 Auction

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE FILIPINO COLLECTION
~1662
A HUANGHUALI CANOPY BED,
JIAZICHUANG
17TH CENTURY
The mat seat is set in a rectangular frame above
the narrow waist and shaped, beaded aprons
carved with confronted chilong amidst scrolls.
The whole is raised on cabriole legs carved with
lion masks terminating in paw feet. The posts are
joined on all sides by openwork railings carved
with stylized fowers and openwork panels with
chilong, and by humpback stretchers below the
canopy frame.
89Ω in. (227.3 cm.) high, 83 in. (210.8 cm.) wide,
48 in. (121.9 cm.) deep
$150,000-250,000

In the traditional Chinese domestic setting,
the bed is among the most important pieces
of furniture. Its large size meant that it would
dominate the bedroom, and it was probably
the most expensive item to commission, due
to the large amount of timber used. A canopy
bed served multiple functions, ofering not only
a place to sleep at night but also to act as a
center of activity during the day. Curtains were
hung from the canopy frame, providing a private,
intimate, and warm place to sleep. During the day,
the curtains were drawn to the side, and the bed
functioned as a couch; sometimes a side table
was pulled up to the frame of the bed, or a kang
table could be placed directly on the mat itself,
ofering a surface for tea or wine, small meals, or
board games.
十七世紀 黃花梨螭龍紋六柱架子床

1 14646