A RARE 'HUANGHUALI' DAYBED (DUMIAN CHUANG) 17TH CENTURY

the hard cane surface set into the rectangular frame, above a recessed waist, the straight apron supported by slender cabriole legs ending in scroll feet and deeply carved in relief of confronting dragons among cloud scrolls, finished with a beaded molding on the edge

Acquired from the Drummond Brothers, 1951.

In good overall condition, with the underside relacquered. The hard cane sleeping surface was originally soft cane and was replaced in the 1930s/40s; thus the four transverse braces are of date later than the 17th century. A 6 inch repaired patch to the beaded molding. The later inner frame holding down the soft cane is now missing and some minor losses along the beaded edge. There feet are worn and there are cracks on two feet. There is a four inch restoration above the apron. Please note the additional provenance: D.C. Private Collector (until 1965). Sotheby's New York, 26th and 27th February 1965, lot 183. Updated 10 September 2009
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present single daybed -- dumian chuang or 'bed for sleeping alone' -- is unusual for its ornate and deep carving of dragons among clouds on the apron and extending down to the scroll feet. While the scroll feet can be found on other daybeds, see for example Wang Shixiang and Curtis Evarts, Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 4, the flamboyance of the carving is more akin to those on larger formal beds.

According to Sarah Handler in "Outstanding Pieces in Private Rooms: Chinese Classical Furniture in New American Collections,' Chinese Furniture: Selected Articles from Orientations, 1984-1994, Hong Kong, 1996, p. 169, "although daybeds are rare, they are frequently shown in paintings and woodblock illustrations." Further, she adds, "since daybeds are relatively light and easy to move, they could also be used for relaxing outside." One such example is a hanging scroll by the early 17th century artist Chen Hongshou titled Reclining on the Incense Fumigator in the Shanghai Museum, depicting a woman seated on her daybed in a garden, illustrated in Sarah Handler, Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture, Hong Kong, 2001, p. 117.

For a daybed of comparable height, carved with a simple ruyi-cloud motif apron and scrolled feet, see Wang, op.cit., pl. 4, which was later sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 1996, lot 54.