The record-union., 1894-02-17

weigh over 2.400 pounds, is seven feet six
inches long, four feet ten inches wide,
with q sixteen-inch prefecture at the
front and seven feet three inches III hight
1t is composed of forty-three separate
pieces that go together like curious
Chinese puzzle, not nail or screw being
used in its construction.
The bed has seventy elaborately carved
panels of different sizes that depict the
history of the reign of the Suns dynasty.
The panels are of carved teak, with inlaid
figures of sandal wood and ivory in curl
ously wrought designs, over seventy full
length figures being used. OF the !, 100
different figures that are seen no two are
alike in carving or III their positions, and
the features Of the faces Of the persons
represented are as expressive as they
could be in painting. The figures are
carved ana then inset into the panels in
some kind OF adhesive preparation, the
panels being dowelled out in the most
perfect manner 10 admit of It.
INTERESTING CARVINGS.
Some of the panels have half dozen
figures, each OF which tells a story Of
pleasure or strife, as they are read by the
Chinaman of the Legation. The history
of the period as told by the carving is
being translated by Mr.. Hing Chong, a
wealthy dealer in Chinese cGrios in this
study TO the work, which, when COM
pleted, will require a large volume, so
com plete is it given, The side panels are
most beautifully carved, and tell the his
tory of the Emperor and his Immediate
family. The figures all represent roy
atty and the five Princes Of the
house of Sung. One OF them repre-
sents the history of feud between the
Viceroy and the Oldest prince, and
Il nf %
Herald to fully describe. When one
considers that there are over fifty thou
sand characters in Chinese writing it
can easily be seen that few com bina-
tions will make columns when translated
and put into type. The hieroglyphics on
the bed tell much Of the literature Of the
age, and reference is made on one OF the
lower panels TO a period eight hundred
years before the Christian era, and dur
ing the dynasty Of Chow and The imper-
ial reign of Wu-Wang.
SYMBOLISM OF THE FIGURES.
The imperial crest of Chinese EN-
peror-the five claWed dragons shown
ih carved sandal wood in several of the
panels, in two of which it is over seven
inches long and carved in the most beauti-
full manner. The sacred bird OF the reign
ing imperial family. the hoang-wang, is
carved III the supports at each corner OF
the bed.
Mythology takes high place in Chi
nese history, and is depicted in every
piece of the carving at the top Of the bed.
The light scroll work represents the
clouds, and all the carving above signifies
NEUROLOGICAL history of the gods above
the clouds. AS read by the Chinese in
terpreter the story is more fascinating
than the representation in Roman myth
ology.
The round disks at the head and foot OF
the bed represents the home life OF the
family of the Emperor, and the figures
are all in ivory. Around the top extends
a lattice, that is formed OF separate pieces
of mahogany, that are Gowelled and put
together at the angles so that no trace is
to be seen. Expert cabinet-maker who
have examined it pronounce this Won
derful feature Of workmanship.
In the center of the lattice work is a
piece of lockwood, over all inch in thick
ness, that is carved through i'll the most
days to complete. The carving and
cutting of the ivory figures is wonder
tul, the expressions on the faces being
as perfect as in painting. The costumes
worn by the figures are perfect in the fall
of the folds, and the positions are hfelike.
Many figures of birds and flowers are
given, ali of which have special meaning.
L ne p6EpeCtlF6 vi tno SCeuoS anu Va Tue
pagodas and streets show the work of the
master-hand in designing and execution.
THE BEDS GREAT VALUE.
Despite the great age of the bed, it is in
a wonderful state of preservation. Mr..
Hudson has used it continuously for the
past forty years, with the exception oil
three years, when he lost all trace of it.
He removed with his family TO Rich
mond, Va. and left the bed in care of a
furniture dealer in this city until he