Museum Quality Circa 1820s Antique Chinese Opium Wedding Bed Intricately Carved.

Description

Museum Quality Antique Chinese Opium Wedding Bed Intricately Carved.

It is difficult for words to describe this stunning Antique Chinese … more Museum Quality Antique Chinese Opium Wedding Bed Intricately Carved.

It is difficult for words to describe this stunning Antique Chinese wedding opium bed. This bed is like a small enclosed alcove built on a raised platform. The front has elaborate detailed carvings and gilding around the entrance opening. Each side of the opening has a panel divided into 6 sections with rounded corner posts. Each of the sections vary in size and style, but they all have relief carved scenes and designs. The largest section on each side also has pierced carvings in addition to the relief carvings. All panels are adorned with many colors and have mica chips embedded on the surface to reflect light. At the top of each of the side panels are a pair of hand carved corbels. The carvings closest to the opening are very detailed Foo dogs, while the outside carvings are rabbits. Between the corbels is a carved panel with pierced carvings below. Between the end panels is a beautiful hand carved header that feature a pair of Phoenix birds, or fenghuang. The fenghuang is often used to decorate antique Chinese wedding beds as they symbolize blissful relations between husband and wife. Above the Phoenix birds are 3 carved panels that match the ones on top of the end panels. The top of this antique Chinese wedding bed has a very ornate cornice that runs the entire length of the front. The cornice is comprised of 3 rows, each one stepped out from the section below it. The cornice rests on the 6 carved corbels at the top of the side sections. Each row in the cornice is divided into 5 sections that have both relief carvings and pierced carvings. The reflective mica chips are also used around the carved panels. The middle row has a small hand carved bird between each panel. The wings of the birds are fastened with small springs that allow the wings to move. The back wall of the bed is made up of 5 panels. Each panel has a small solid flat section at the top that is above a larger open window. Inside the window is some carved decorative framework. Below the windows is a small section with relief carvings and the mica chips. The large lower section is a flat panel with hand drawn ink designs. The panels each have a sliding wood panel that can be raised to block off the windows. They are held up with a small pivoting wood piece. The sides of the bed are each made up of 4 panels that are the same as the ones in the back except they do not have the carvings around the window openings.

the overall dimensions are 95" tall x 89" long x 88 wide.

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