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Actions Displays	Details Remove from selection Add to selection CollectionStraits Chinese Collection Object numberB2008-0013-002-0 TitleWedding Day Bed DescriptionThe bridal bed is an example of the traditional Chinese four-poster bed, which is enclosed on three sides. Ho Wing Meng (Straits Chinese Furniture: A Collector’s Guide) observes that beds were originally built into alcoves in the home which were walled in on three sides. This blueprint was used by Chinese carpenters when they began to make moveable beds. For the wedding, the bridal bed is decked with elaborately embroidered silk curtains, a valance, filigree ornaments and ‘necktie’ hangings. The bed design incorporates drawers, presumably to keep valuables nearby when one is asleep. A row of small drawers is built on the inner side of the double bed, close to the canopy. For the single bed, the drawers are beneath the bed's platform. In the homes of families with Malacca connections, a single bed like this was traditionally arranged in front of the double bed. (NUS Baba House, Architecture and Artefacts of a Straits Chinese Home, Page 98-102) Object categoryFurniture MaterialWood, lacquer, gold leaf Dimensions H: 242 cm L: 228.5 cm D: 92.5 cm

Object numberB2008-0013-002-0

TitleWedding Day Bed

DescriptionThe bridal bed is an example of the traditional Chinese four-poster bed, which is enclosed on three sides. Ho Wing Meng (Straits Chinese Furniture: A Collector’s Guide) observes that beds were originally built into alcoves in the home which were walled in on three sides. This blueprint was used by Chinese carpenters when they began to make moveable beds. For the wedding, the bridal bed is decked with elaborately embroidered silk curtains, a valance, filigree ornaments and ‘necktie’ hangings. The bed design incorporates drawers, presumably to keep valuables nearby when one is asleep. A row of small drawers is built on the inner side of the double bed, close to the canopy. For the single bed, the drawers are beneath the bed's platform. In the homes of families with Malacca connections, a single bed like this was traditionally arranged in front of the double bed. (NUS Baba House, Architecture and Artefacts of a Straits Chinese Home, Page 98-102)

Object categoryFurniture

MaterialWood, lacquer, gold leaf

Dimensions

H: 242 cm
L: 228.5 cm
D: 92.5 cm

Details