Ah Tay Bed - a photo on Flickriver

Ah Tay Bed

A splendid Ah Tay bed with Dayap fruit motif

Estimate: PHP 800,000 - 850,000

Last Quarter, 19th century
Binondo, Manila
Narra, cane / solihiya
247 x 143 x 220 cm
(97 x 56 x 86 1/2 in)

Lot 451 of the Salcedo Auctions auction on 21 September 2019. Please see salcedoauctions.com for more details.

Famous Chinese furniture maker, Ah Tay, and his iconic calabasa bed has remained one of the most coveted pieces of furniture in our history. Though instantly recognizable because of the obvious typical design elements, the scramble for genuine examples from the scores of reproductions continue to grow due to increasing demand from serious collectors. Calabasa bed – aptly named for the heavily gadrooned halved squash shape used for bed posts – is a juxtaposition of varied styles prevalent in Europe from the 1840s to 1880s: Gothic Revival, Rococo Revival and Renaissance Revival. This bed, in particular, has all the quintessential Ah Tay traits, crafted at the highest level – something that latter pieces will never be able to duplicate – that only the master himself can accomplish. Interestingly, there is age-appropriate numbering in Chinese characters on each calabasa support that matches with the corresponding post, thereby avoid mismatching the parts during assembly – a solid proof of Chinese hands in the making this bed. The lustrous patina and the unfeignable signs of usage accumulated over a long time are tactile testaments to its authenticity.
Ah Tay loved to incorporate tropical fruits in his beds. In this example, dayap fruits in varying degree of maturity are carved as decorative motif. Dayap (citrus aurantifolia) is a small tree native to Southeast Asia. Its most popular use in the Philippines is its rind added to leche flan or creme caramel for a distinct, sharp citrusy flavor. This is no coincidence as the original owners of the bed had a dayap farm in Pulupandan town in Negros, thus the sentimental association. They can be seen in the headboard bottom support, inside lyre posts, and from the canopy’s vaulted crests dangling gracefully. In a very good and sturdy condition. Found in a house in Mandaluyong.

Taken on: September 14, 2019

Tags:

Philippines

Filipino

antiques

auction

Makati

Manila

furniture

art

Cloma « less

Sets appears in: • Beds

Groups appears in: • Philippine Heritage Furniture

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