17TH CENTURY

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 was probably the most expensive item to commission, due to the large amount of timber used. In contrast to the day-bed (ta) or couch-bed (luohanchuang), which were often found in a scholar’s studio or bedroom, the canopy bed was generally associated with the female setting and would have been the most important part of a woman’s dowry. Drapery was an essential component of the canopy bed. Closed curtains created a private world within, while during the day, curtains were drawn open for entertaining guests.

The massive size and exceptional carving on the present bed suggests this was an important commission for a wealthy lady. The railings are intricately carved with the stylized characters reading fu, lu, and shou (prosperity, luck and success) within roundels and are flanked by pairs of animated chilong. The tall base is raised on powerful, leonine cabriole legs, their curling, tufted toes forming the feet, the legs are joined by cusped, beaded aprons carved with chilong confronting scrolling lingzhi stems. The wealth of auspicious symbols on the present bed reflects the wish for abundance, good fortune, longevity, and wealth for the marriage and any children.

A closely related canopy bed with railings carved with chilong amidst archaistic scroll is illustrated by N. Berliner in Beyond the Screen, Boston, 2000, no. 16. Compare, also, a slightly smaller well-carved huanghuali six-post canopy bed sold at Hotung: The Personal Collection of Sir Joseph Hotung, Part II: Evening; Sotheby’s London, 7 December 2022, lot 40.