AN INLAID HARDWOOD LUOHAN BED WITH MARBLE INSET PANELS, 1900s

AN INLAID HARDWOOD LUOHAN BED WITH MARBLE INSET PANELS, 1900s China, late 19th to early 20th century. Of typical Luohan form with three bed railings supported on four rectangular feet and a floating panel for the bed seat. The back railing inset with a central ingot-shape marble panel, topped by a central Shou character, flanked by two oval panels each encompassed by ornate mother-of-pearl-inlays depicting blossoms borne on leafy stems, the side railings similarly inset with a rectangular and double-gourd shape marble panel. The trim of the seat set above an openwork apron with scrolling vines bearing fruit, bats, dragon head terminals, and ruyi, similarly highlighted with mother-of-pearl inlays. Provenance: Masterpiece Arts House, Singapore. German private collection, acquired from the above on 29 June 1978. A copy of the original invoice accompanies this lot. Condition: Expected wear, manufacturing flaws, nicks, age cracks, scratches, losses to inlays, warping, and one of the railings loose, overall presenting very well. Dimensions: 181 x 107.3 x 62 cm Literature comparison: Compare a closely related Luohan bed with marble panels, dated to the late 19th to early 20th century, in the Sun Yat Sen Museum, Malaysia. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s London, 9 April 2013, lot 311 Price: GBP 5,625 or approx. EUR 10,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A Chinese export mother-of-pearl inlaid hard wood settle, late 19th century Expert remark: Compare the related form and marble inset panels and mother-of-pearl inlays. Note the matt bed seat.