Rumor said this large king size zitan bed belonged to a very prominent high official in the central government of China. Weighing roughly 700 pounds, this bed was constructed in the late 1980s entirely from three large solid pieces of zitan. Not including the deep relief carvings, the headboard is over 10 centimeters thick, a particularly lavish use of zitan.

Unfortunately for the original owner, this bed was not fated to remain in his possession. In the early 1990's, he lost his political power and was later said to have been taking bribes and was ordered to return all the money he supposedly had taken from various banks. His wife had decided to sell off some of the family possessions to pay off the debt he owed, and this zitan bed, which was said to be the only one of its kind existing today in China, was among the possessions being sold through a private sale.

As it turned out, the bed had never been used and was sitting in a warehouse along with other furniture pieces the official had accumulated over the years. My father was fortunate enough to be at the right place at the right time and was able to purchase it. The bed has been with my father ever since.

This bed is famous for its carving of "Phoenix facing the sun" motif and comes with two end tables.

Bed size: 220 cm long, 220 cm wide, 135 cm tall.
Bed end table: 40 cm long, 32 cm wide, 50 cm tall.