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ID #SA1236886
FOR SALE
£4,800
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Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench Carved Qing Dynasty Bed 1840
For sale by Canonbury Antiques
for sale €5,616     $6,096
£4,800
Canonbury Antiques

Canonbury Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2021
Browse dealers 315 items
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Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench Carved Qing Dynasty Bed 1840

18th century
Description

A finely carved antique Chinese hardwood opium bench dating from the late Qing Dynasty, beautifully crafted with an openwork pierced back featuring scrolling foliage, flowering branches and traditional fretwork panels

Circa 1840

Sometimes a piece comes along that just has it all and this is it - history, character, craftsmanship and age

I imagine the characters through time who have languished in reverie and haze on this work of art

The shaped crest rail is richly decorated with intricate relief carving, while the distinctive cylindrical bolster armrests terminate in carved floral roundels, a characteristic feature of high-quality Chinese daybeds

The slatted seat, originally designed to support woven matting or cushions, rests above an elaborately carved frieze incorporating key fret motifs, stylised foliage and auspicious decorative elements

Raised on elegant cabriole legs with carved scroll feet, the bench displays exceptional craftsmanship throughout, with crisp hand-carved details and a rich, warm patina acquired over generations of use

Originally intended as a reclining couch for relaxation, conversation and the traditional practice of opium smoking among the wealthy classes, today this striking piece serves as a dramatic decorative statement

Equally suited as a daybed, hall bench or conversation seat, it is an outstanding example of late 19th-century Chinese furniture, combining sculptural beauty with historical significance

Dimensions in inches (cm)

Width x Depth x Height

81 (206) x 33 (84) x 31 (79) x 18 (46)

Physical Dimensions
Height
46cm (18.11")
Width
206cm (81.10")
Depth
84cm (33.07")
Declaration

Canonbury Antiques has dated this Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1236886
Description
A finely carved antique Chinese hardwood opium bench dating from the late Qing Dynasty, beautifully crafted with an openwork pierced back featuring scrolling foliage, flowering branches and traditional fretwork panels
fig 1. An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest.
fig 1. Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench Carved Qing Dynasty Bed 1840

Circa 1840

“
Sometimes a piece comes along that just has it all and this is it - history, character, craftsmanship and age.
Canonbury Antiques

I imagine the characters through time who have languished in reverie and haze on this work of art

fig 2. An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest.
fig 2. Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench Carved Qing Dynasty Bed 1840

The shaped crest rail is richly decorated with intricate relief carving, while the distinctive cylindrical bolster armrests terminate in carved floral roundels, a characteristic feature of high-quality Chinese daybeds

fig 3. An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest.
fig 3. Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench Carved Qing Dynasty Bed 1840

The slatted seat, originally designed to support woven matting or cushions, rests above an elaborately carved frieze incorporating key fret motifs, stylised foliage and auspicious decorative elements

Raised on elegant cabriole legs with carved scroll feet, the bench displays exceptional craftsmanship throughout, with crisp hand-carved details and a rich, warm patina acquired over generations of use

fig 4. An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest.
fig 4. Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench Carved Qing Dynasty Bed 1840

Originally intended as a reclining couch for relaxation, conversation and the traditional practice of opium smoking among the wealthy classes, today this striking piece serves as a dramatic decorative statement

fig 5. An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest.
fig 5. Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench Carved Qing Dynasty Bed 1840

Equally suited as a daybed, hall bench or conversation seat, it is an outstanding example of late 19th-century Chinese furniture, combining sculptural beauty with historical significance

Dimensions in inches (cm)

Width x Depth x Height

81 (206) x 33 (84) x 31 (79) x 18 (46)

Height
46cm (18.11")
Width
206cm (81.10")
Depth
84cm (33.07")
Date of Manufacture

Canonbury Antiques has dated this Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1236886
Canonbury Antiques
Canonbury Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2021

London UK antiques & decorative arts - ships globally

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Canonbury Antiques Profile Page

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An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest.
1 / 10
Archive I An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest.

Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench Carved Qing Dynasty Bed 1840

Archive II An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest. View II
Archive III An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest. View III
Archive IV An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest. View IV
Archive V An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest. View V
Archive VI An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest. View VI
Archive VII An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest. View VII
Archive VIII An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest. View VIII
Archive IX An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest. View IX
Archive X An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest. View X
Enlarged Archival View
Canonbury Antiques

Canonbury Antiques
Telephone 01707 644877
Location
Potters Bar
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/canonbury
Verified Since Apr 2021
Items For Sale 315
Items Sold 498
Canonbury Antiques
Canonbury Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Potters Bar , Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/canonbury
Verified
Apr 2021
For Sale
315
Sold
498
An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest.
Chinese Hardwood Opium Bench Carved Qing Dynasty Bed 1840
Ref: SA1236886
An intricately hand-carved warm brown hardwood Chinese opium bench featuring a slatted seat, elevated recline end, and pierced scrollwork along the backrest.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDaybeds & Loungers
  • Period18th century
  • StyleQing Dynasty
  • MaterialHardwood, Elm
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsSlatted seat platform, Scroll ends, Pierced carved backrest, Cabriole legs
  • SizeH 46 cm (18 in) x W 206 cm (81 in) x D 84 cm (33 in)

FAQs

Historically used in 19th-century Chinese homes during the Qing Dynasty, these raised timber platforms served as versatile furniture pieces for lounging, resting, and socialising.

These pieces were typically crafted from native hardwoods such as elm or rosewood using complex joinery without nails, featuring slatted platforms, hand-carved aprons, and decorative scrollwork.

Authentic examples display traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, hand-carved openwork motifs, natural age patination around carved crevices, and hand-fitted structural support slats.

Position the bench as a statement lounger in an open-plan living room or wide hallway, paired with neutral linen cushions or minimalist throws to contrast the detailed woodwork.

Keep the wood away from direct heat sources to prevent shrinkage or splitting, clean regularly using a dry microfiber cloth, and apply a natural beeswax polish annually to nourish the timber.
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