Lot 115. A rare huanghuali 'kui dragon' couch-bed, luohanchuang, Ming dynasty, 17th century; overall 71.9 by 201.2 by 122.7 cm, 28 1/4  by 79 1/2  by 48 1/4  in. Estimate HKD 3,000,000 — 5,000,000. Price realised HKD 48,765,000 . Courtesy Sotheby's. 

of elegant proportions, the rectangular seat frame of standard mitre, mortise and tenon construction with a soft matted seat, the rounded edge of the seat frame moulded downwards and inwards into a narrow flat band, resting on a short straight waist and a beaded-edged apron carved with archaistic kui dragons, the apron further continuing into thick legs terminating in incurved hoof feet, all below the shaped back and arms with subtly sloping ends bordered with raised bands, the arms superbly carved in low relief on both sides with kui dragons with sinuous bodies, some accented with scrollwork, the design skilfully echoed on the front of the back panel.

Provenance: Sotheby's New York, 23rd September 1997, lot 399.

Note: This attractive couch-bed (luohanchuang) represents one of the most elegant and recognisable forms of Chinese classical furniture. Its powerful incurved feet and convex apron impart a sense of stability and strength, while the three solid panels with subtly sloping ends would have framed the sitter to provide both an intimate space and a platform that imparts prestige. Drawing from Chinese traditional iconography, the intricately carved kui dragons grant a sense of opulence and make this piece particularly rare.

The great popularity of couch-beds (luohanchuang) in the Ming and Qing dynasty resulted from their adaptability. Used as a couch during the day and a bed at night, couch beds were found in scholar’s studios and garden pavilions, at reception halls and in women’s quarters. As Wen Zhenheng (1585-1645) notes in his Chang wu zhi [Treaties on superfluous things], “There was no way they [couches] were not convenient, whether for sitting up, lying down or reclining. In moments of pleasant relaxation, they would spread out classic or historical texts, examine works of calligraphy or painting, display ancient bronze vessels, dine or take a nap, as the furniture was suitable for all these things” (Craig Clunas, Superfluous Things. Material Culture and Social Status in Early Modern China, Honolulu, 2004, p. 42). When entertaining a guest, a small table could be placed on the couch as depicted in the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) woodblock print Playing Double Sixes, illustrated in Sarah Handler, Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture, Berkeley, 2001, pl. 9.7 (fig. 1).