Date: Ming (AD 1368-1644)
Dimensions: Length 226 cm, Width 162 cm, Height 234 cm
Material: Huanghuali wood, rattan

• Object Type：
  • OTHERS
• Location：
  • Chinese Ming and Qing Furniture Gallery
• Tag：
  • bed ming huanghuali wood

The six-post canopy bed named after its six pillars was first seen in the Southern and Northern Dynasties. This piece of work made in the late Ming dynasty comprised both canopy and bed. The front side of the overhanging board of the bed is mounted with three hollow carved slabs with the designs of two phoenixes facing the sun and two dragons playing with a pearl, while the front of the panel below is carved with a Kylin design, all of which are auspicious patterns. On the apron beneath the bed, there is a relief of twisted-grass and Chi-dragon pattern. Chi is a dragon without horns in ancient legends, said to be able to expel the demons and evil spirits. The overhanging board on both sides, the back of the bed and the open-carved railings are decorated with a cloud cluster motif, a mix of gathering and cluster. This furniture is elegant and beautiful, exquisitely carved and made of genuine Huanghuali wood. Canopy beds of the Ming dynasty are excellent in terms of both practicability and artistry and have been used and developed by people for hundreds of years.