See It And Sleep On It

Even with our NASA-engineered mattresses and goose-down comforters, today's beds have nothing on the bedroom accoutrements of China's Ming and Qing dynasties. The Crow Collection of Asian Art's Dream Chamber: Chinese Bedroom Furniture features a number of elegant pieces that might have been included in any frou-frou bedchamber of this...

By Alex Copeland

June 23, 2011

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Even with our NASA-engineered mattresses and goose-down comforters, today's beds have nothing on the bedroom accoutrements of China's Ming and Qing dynasties. The Crow Collection of Asian Art's Dream Chamber: Chinese Bedroom Furniture features a number of elegant pieces that might have been included in any frou-frou bedchamber of this period, including hardwood furniture, wash basins and various ornamented wooden trappings. The cultural importance of the bedchamber was so significant during these periods that they play a powerful role in classic Chinese opera and literature, including Hong Lou Meng, Dream of the Red Chamber, and Xi Xiang ji, Tale of the Western Chamber. The bed was a kind of female throne, indicative of a woman's rank among the other wives and concubines. The more tassels and the higher the canopy, the better. They were one of the few true possessions women would have, given as part of a woman's dowry and returned to her if the marriage was terminated. The Dream Chamber exhibition is free and runs through September 18 at The Crow Collection of Asian Art, 2010 Flora St. Call 214-979-6430 or visit crowcollection.org.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: June 18. Continues through Sept. 18, 2011

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