Phenomenal vintage chinoiserie Chinese Wedding opium canopy
bed comprised of Chinese elm and all-over hand carved Asian gilded designs. It
will hold a queen size mattress and is made up of 60+ individual pieces but will
be shipped partially assembled. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this
is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Its overall age
patina, consisting of nicks, dings, scratches, cracks, possible missing
details, and wear to finish is considered part of its beauty. We have used the
original method of tightening joints for stability, tapered shims. Many are
original and we have added more in areas for stability. Please see photos and
zoom in for details. We attempt to portray
any imperfections. Circa, Mid 19th – Mid 20th Century.
There
are beds. And then, there are beds that are a work of art… and this Chinese wedding
opium canopy bed is an ABSOLUTE ASIAN MASTERPIECE!! This stunning vintage canopy
bed originated from China and is comprised of gorgeous Chinese Elm that is embellished
with all over hand carved and gilded designs of mythical creatures such as dragons
and phoenixes, elephants, Chinese symbols, vines, birds, and flowers. The
canopy has an incredible ceiling and when you lie down you are compelled by four
fantastic three-dimensional carved dragons surrounded by red painted flames and
wings and two more dragons within the boxed sections on the underside of the
canopy. It’s MAGNIFICENT!! It has two open box shelves in the top back corners
with floral carvings on the board between them and the front of the canopy
features seven rectangular sections with intricately hand carved and gold
leafed unique Asian scenes. Simply breathtaking!! The actual bed frame holds a
queen size mattress… sideways. Much like a standard daybed. So, mattress length
goes width and width goes length. A rail above the mattress runs on three sides
and hosts a gold leaf Asian bird in each corner. LOVELY!! The base is comprised
of a hand carved apron with a stylized dragon face in the center surrounded by
hand carved leaves and details and two fabulous wide front feet featuring
sophisticated hand carvings of dragons, flowers, and an exquisite Phoenix
standing on the inside of the foot. Above the base carvings along the footboard
is meandering detail in gold leaf. Stunning!! There are just too many gorgeous
details to mention them all. Every time I look at it, I see something new and
amazing. This Chinese wedding opium canopy bed is the epitome of chinoiserie
excellence! It commands the room and demands attention; you can’t help but
stare in awe! Did you know… Chinese marriage beds are incredibly special pieces of
furniture that have a lot of tradition woven into their history. For example, the
marriage bed and its linens must be new, and are presented to the engaged
couple by the groom’s family. The placement of the marriage bed usually occurs
one or two weeks before the wedding on an auspicious date often chosen by a
feng shui master. After the bed is installed, no adult may sit or sleep on it
alone before the wedding, because this might bring bad luck to the bridal
couple. Male children are allowed to sit and play in the confines of the bed as
a way to ensure the new couple will be fertile with male offspring. As wishes
for good luck, happiness, fertility and other good fortune, items such as tangerines,
oranges, and symbols of “gold” are placed on the bed for good fortune; while
persimmons, or dried red dates bless their union with sweetness… some info from
Seattle times. Obviously,
it will make an exceptional addition to your Asian style bedroom, but it would
also be a wonderful daybed. Maybe you have an Industrial loft or a French flat?
This is just what the designer ordered!! This is the perfect bed for those who
have a love and admiration for Chinese history, culture, and all its beauty. It
is a spectacular piece of furniture with an Asian element unlike any other, and
you simply MUST own it!!
Bed:
Crated
Size:
We ask that the buyer cover freight.
Please send zip code for a quote to your area.