Mid Qing Dynasty_ Hardwood flower and bird rack bed

This bed has six pillars, and the six pillar frame bed is developed from the four pillar frame bed. Two pillars are added at the edge of the bed, and two square door fences are sandwiched between the door pillars and the foot pillars, which is known as the “door fence frame bed” by Beijing craftsmen. The doors on the left and right sides are cut with single board hardwood, and a groove is dug on top of it to embed a boxwood frame. The inside is then decorated with boxwood embossed gourds and pods, symbolizing multiple children and blessings. In addition, the three sides are also surrounded by hard wooden boards, although there is no carving work, the wood grain is like a cloud from heaven.

Between the railings on the fence are carved Ganoderma lucidum and ginseng fruit. The eaves are surrounded by three individual boards, and the plum blossom, peony, and magnolia patterns carved from boxwood are decorated with the same techniques. The carving is exquisite and lifelike. Underneath it, there are children and bats inlaid with wooden carvings, with exquisite craftsmanship. The entire frame bed has a huge body and thick materials. The bed seat is flat on all sides, with edges and legs that are sufficient to form a combination of Zongjiao tenons. The legs, feet, and edges are decorated with shallow relief cloud patterns.

Drill holes on the inner edge of the seat frame and wear brown rope, covering the old mat with soft drawers. The side of the quadruped column is made by using the “flush head collision” method to embed a semi transparent tenon into three horizontal joints, which is sturdy and beautiful. Generally, a frame bed with a door fence is hung inside the top frame, making the boxwood flowers and birds embedded on the door fence more prominent. It is a good example of ancient fabric and wood coordination.