Antique Chinese opium bed

Rare Chinese opium bed or wedding bed dating from the end of the 19th century. In good used condition. Fabulous aged patina. Chinese opium beds and wedding beds are similar in shape with three often ornate sides and an open entrance. This bed was probably designed for opium use: there are clear carvings and painting showing opium poppies and dragons. This bed was not built for export or tourist use. He probably came from a working-class neighborhood and would have been rented for half a day. The sides, back and top of the bed would have had fabric draped over the wooden frame; to create a comfortable nest and to help keep an even flame on the smoking lamp. I particularly like this bed because of its modest, almost domestic appearance. It looks more authentic than the sometimes exaggerated and heavily lacquered examples that might have been built to tempt wealthy tourists. Dimensions of the exterior bed: 220cm long X 160cm deep X 188cm high. The internal dimension is 188cm X 145cm. The bed is assembled from around forty pieces of wood. Some are elaborately carved and painted, others are simply cut boards. It all comes together. There are no screws or nails. Once dismantled, the bed will form a plot approximately 220cm long, 70cm wide and approximately 45cm high. I guess it will weigh around 80 kilos.

Ref. : TJJZ3B57