Page 221 - Christie's Asia Week March 2024 Chinese Art

重要中४藝術暨高曼珍藏

In the traditional Chinese domestic setting, the bed is among the shou translating to prosperity, success and longevity, and are thought to
most important pieces of furniture. Its large size meant that it would bring good fortune to the owner.
dominate the bedroom, and it was probably the most expensive item
to commission, due to the large amount of timber used. Canopy beds The present canopy bed is distinguished by the elaborate carving on the
appear to have been closely influenced by architectural construction. legs and frame and the finely carved railings. The high waist and shaped,
It is the only form of furniture noted in the Ming dynasty carpenter's beaded apron are carved with striding chilong, and ‘bamboo’-form struts
manual Lu Ban Jing to have used auspicious measurements that was at the corners and dividing the recessed panels on the waist. The legs
also employed for buildings. A canopy bed served multiple functions, are boldly carved with animal masks bearing their pointed teeth and
offering not only a place to sleep at night but also to act as a center of terminating in claw feet. The geometric pattern of the lower rails nicely
activity during the day. It was common practice to use drapery to create contrast to the more elaborate openwork railings, which are carved with
a private world within a closed curtain. During the daytime a bed would chilong interspersed with the characters fu, lu and shou. A huanghuali
be used, with curtains drawn, for entertaining guests, often seated bed of slightly larger size, also featuring lion-mask and claw legs and
around small items of furniture designed to be accommodated on the ‘bamboo’-form struts is illustrated by Wang Shixiang and C. Evarts,
beds. At night, the curtains would be closed and the bed would become Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, Chicago
a private world of rest and intimacy, as illustrated in the two Wanli and San Francisco, 1995, p. 22, no. 11. Another related huanghuali
period woodblock prints Xianyuan Jishi (Chronicles of the Immortal canopy bed, with similar platform decoration, and railings carved with
Lady) and Qiting Ji (The Story of Flag Pavilion) shown above. The chilong, fu and shou in the Liangyi Collection is illustrated in C. Evarts,
current example is carved on the railings with the characters fu, lu, and Liang Yi collection: Zitan, Hong Kong, 2007, p. 80, no. 22 and 23.

Xianyuan Jishi (Chronicles of the Immortal Lady), Wanli edition. Qiting Ji (The Story of Flag Pavilion), Wanli 27th-year edition (1599).
Ǘ仙媛紀̢ǘ，明萬曆ח本 Ǘ旗̻〦ǘ，萬曆̣十ˑ年（ 年）ח本

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