ANTIQUE CHINESE FARMERS WEDDING BED & STOOL NO RESERVE Start Price USD 2,499.00 Current Price USD 2,499.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, August 25, 2008 End Time Thursday, September 04, 2008 Location Scottsdale, Arizona See more about 'ANTIQUE CHINESE FARMERS WEDDING BED & STOOL NO RESERVE' Description ANTIQUE CHINESE FARMERS WEDDING BED & STOOL NO RESERVE Offered for your consideration with no reserve is this very nice hand carved Farmers Chinese Wedding Bed. The bed measures 75 inches wide by 62 inches deep and  84 1'2 iches tall, the mattress board is 23 inches from the ground. The foot stool measures 71 inches wide by 17 1/2 inches deep and 11 1/2 inches tall. The foot stool which has a green marble inlay is included but this is not an exact match to the bed. Due to the marble inlay this stool is very heavy. The bed has different kinds and color of woods and is beuatifully hand carved. Some of the reversed paintings show some flaking but are still good for their age. I have tried to show as many pictures as possible but please email me if more are required. Below I have written a short bio of this piece of antique furniture. This was purchased in downtown Taipei from an alley vendor behind a temple and had been handed down through his family and was no longer in use. It had been brought to Taiwan by his grandparents with as many family treasures that they could load on to a boat when they followed Chiang Kai-Shek from the mainland when the communists took over China.     This bed is from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) which was ruled by the young Emperor “Pu Yi” The last Emperor of China.   The custom at that time was to gift a wedding bed to a young engaged girl in the family. The wealth of the family would determine the adornment, as a rich family would decorate with Mother of Pearl and semi precious stones. The lower class families of farmers, fishermen, etc.could not afford these jewels and decorated their beds with elaborate carving and reverse paintings. These beds were made to fit their bedrooms in the farm houses which were very small and all the visible carvings wre on the inside of the bed. The backs are very plain  as these fit against the 3 side walls and just the front open to access the bed. These beds had a step up to the bed and drawers and hangers to store clothes and personal items. Also these beds were draped with curtains to provide privacy and warmth. As the new generations came so did new ideas and furniture changed from these cumbersome beds to new modern pieces. For many years these became forgotten but now there is a huge resurgence of these pieces that have become very desirable. This can be used as a traditional bed or ideal for a lounger with drapes on your patio or lanai by the pool or a great conversation piece in the house.   This one has had a custom made spring mattress made to fit and is very comfortable.     For the age of this piece it is in very nice condition and all fits together with out any nails or screws. Each piece slots into the next and breaks down for easy moving or shipping. This would be better for local pick up but I will assist with shipping arrangement at winning bidders expense.         Payment is due 5 days from end of auction. Place a Bid!