A HUANGHUALI WAISTED DAYBED, TA

Details

A HUANGHUALI WAISTED DAYBED, TA
LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY

The rectangular frame with 'ice-plate' edge enclosing a soft-mat seat, the narrow waist and apron with wide concave beading formed from a single piece of wood, supported on square, splayed legs terminating in crisp hoof feet, the wood of fine quality and pleasing reddish tone
18 7/8in. (48cm.) high, 82 5/8in. (210cm.) wide, 37 3/4in. (96cm.) deep

Literature

Sarah Handler, "Life on a Platform", JCCFS, Autumn 1993, p. 13, fig. 20
Wang et al., Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, p. 6, no. 3

Lot Essay

Daybeds with horsehoof feet and without stretchers are rare and the one citable example is the wooden model mentioned by Wang Zhengshu in his article, "Conjectures on Models of Ming-Period Furniture from the Pan Yunzheng Tomb in Shanghai", included in the exhibition Catalogue, Beyond the Screen, and illustrated by Nancy Berliner, no. 306. See, also, Gustav Ecke, Chinese Domestic Furniture, pl. 19, no. 15, for an example of heavier proportions

For uses of the daybed as indoor and outdoor seating during the Ming dynasty refer to Wang et al., p. 6