Written by: Xinhua News Agency
Posted on: July 10, 2018 | 
| 中文
The frame of the bed being repaired
A 2,500-year-old “Royal Bed” (lacquered “Dragon Bed”) of ancient Shu State, has been restored after 17 years of work, released by China Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China’s Sichuan province, at the beginning of 2018. It is believed that the “Royal Bed” is the oldest, best preserved, and most complex lacquered furniture ever found till now in Chinese archeological history.
The “Royal Bed” was unearthed in August 2000, among the boat-shaped coffins in downtown Chengdu. The vastly magnificent tomb complex, dating back roughly to the early Warring States Period (476-221 BC), remains the largest boat-shaped coffin to this day. Archeologists generally believe it was the site of the family cemetery of Kaiming, the king of the ancient Shu State.
According to Yan Jinsong, director of Department of Cultural Heritage, Chengdu Bureau of Culture, Radio and Television, Press and Publication, and also the archeologist heading the excavation of the tomb complex, the lacquered bed is of high archeological significance due to its shape and pattern, and it’s very likely to have been used by the king himself or other members of the Shu Royal Family. He said that the signs on the bed are closely related to the language used in ancient Shu State, offering new and valuable clues to archeologists keen on decoding the mysterious ancient language.
This restored type lacquered bed B is larger than a modern household bed, with an upward curve on one side and a roof-like bed curtain holder frame. Its base is black, with patterns of interlaced and looking-back dragons painted in red and ochre; all this showcases the life style and gracefulness of the royal family
According to Yang Tao, a research assistant of Conservation and Restoration Center of the Institute, the bed consists of 45 parts, ranging from 3.2 meters to 20 centimeters in length, solidly connected by mortise and tenon joints. Hieroglyphs are seen over the roof-like top part and along the bed frame. In his view, those signs were very likely left by craftsmen of that time. With the help of these “direction clues,” preservationists are able to match each pair of mortise and tenon joints exactly.
The bed was fragile upon excavation, with its parts scattered beneath a number of boat-shaped burials. During 17 years of restoration, hard-working archeologists and experts of relics preservation, have gone through complicated procedures like soaking, dehydrating, washing, replacing, restoring and color restoring. “Its current look is pretty much the result of repeated comparisons, researches, and arguments,” said Xiao Lin, director of Preservation and Restoration Center.
More than 290 sets of unearthed lacquer wares, including beds and tables, have been reportedly recovered by Preservation and Restoration Center of the Institute in Chengdu. Among them, one particular type A lacquered bed in a smaller size, is believed to have been used by a queen of ancient Shu State, according to researchers.
“Absence of exact written evidence has made ancient Shu State a mystery in history. Fortunately, restoration of the precious relics makes it possible to unveil it,” said Yan Jinsong.
Translated by Yang Jing
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