This rosewood bed, encrusted with silver and the figures made of bronze, was created for Nawab Muhammad Bahawal Khan Abbasi V of Bahawalpur in 1883. The four figures at the corners represent women of France, Spain, Italy and Greece. With clever mechanisms, the statues were able to wink and wave fans and fly whisks. No flys on this Khan.
Below, before being dispatched to India, this rendering in gouache was made of the bed. To add to its other attributes, the bed was fitted with a music box that played a thirty minute interlude from Gounod's Faust, activated by a button.
Man, I've sold a lot of custom furniture, built to suit whatever the customer wanted, but this really drives home the fact that being rich does not equal having taste.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great piece of history though. I don't think I could sleep with those wooden girls staring at me.
You know, on second thought, can I borrow that image for my D&D blog? It's just such an outrageous piece of furniture, that I think I can build a magic item story around it for the game.
ReplyDeleteBy all means, go for it EG.
ReplyDeleteE.G.: They're not wooden girls, they're brazen hussies.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, wonderful, delicious! Thank you, sir!
ReplyDeleteSo what became of this piece of furniture?
ReplyDeleteAlso had to add a link to this from my blog. Great find.
ReplyDeletei belong from the same City bed belongs from, this piece of furniture has been stolen long time ago. they were three pieces made in history one for king of France, 2nd Nawab of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, and for Royal Britisher.
ReplyDeletemore you love, then visit Bahawalpur Pakistan, where 13 palaces in one city. you will love it.