East Asian Art Couch Bed (Luohanchuang) Made in China, AsiaQing Dynasty (1644-1911), c. 1700 Artist/maker unknown, Chinese Lacquered wood (red lacquer) with incised and painted decoration; brass fittings. * Gallery 226, Asian Art, second floor 1967-145-1 Purchased with the John T. Morris Fund, 1967 |
LabelThis couch bed would have once graced the elegant women’s quarters of a Chinese palace. The phoenix, depicted on the central panel of the back, has been used both as a symbol of an empress and as a general sign for a female in China. Other images on this piece—such as the multiple pairs of birds and the eight lions and cub playing with embroidered balls—represent conjugal bliss and procreation.* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit. |
