Charpai Leg
ca. 1880 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The most common type of bed used in India is a charpoy, which literally means 'four legs'. A charpoy consists of four turned or carved legs joined or bound to a rectangular frame. This example is painted and gilt to simulate the effect of gold and enamel. Ibn Batuta’s description of a charpoy, written around 1350, still applies today: ‘The bed consists of four conical legs, on which four staves are laid; between they plait a sort of ribbon of silk or cotton.’ In cheaper models, the frame was netted with rope made from rushes, while finer examples were laced with comfortable broad canvas tape.
Materials used in the construction of charpoys varied from inexpensive bamboo and wood to ivory, but in all cases the form remained the same. Cot legs were ornamented with a number of techniques including painting and carving. A more extravagant effect was created by encasing wooden charpoy legs and frames in sheets of silver and gold encrusted with semi-precious stones.
Materials used in the construction of charpoys varied from inexpensive bamboo and wood to ivory, but in all cases the form remained the same. Cot legs were ornamented with a number of techniques including painting and carving. A more extravagant effect was created by encasing wooden charpoy legs and frames in sheets of silver and gold encrusted with semi-precious stones.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wood, carved, painted, laquered and gilded decoration |
| Brief description | Charpai leg of wood, carved, painted and lacquered with red and green flowers, Delhi, about 1880 |
| Physical description | Bed leg of wood, carved, painted and lacquered with a pattern of flowering sprigs in red and green on a gilt ground. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Class X, No (sic), Nur Mohammed, Delhi (The base of the leg is mounted with a label, probably from an exhibition.) |
| Object history | The bed leg was acquired by the Museum for 15s. 5 d. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The most common type of bed used in India is a charpoy, which literally means 'four legs'. A charpoy consists of four turned or carved legs joined or bound to a rectangular frame. This example is painted and gilt to simulate the effect of gold and enamel. Ibn Batuta’s description of a charpoy, written around 1350, still applies today: ‘The bed consists of four conical legs, on which four staves are laid; between they plait a sort of ribbon of silk or cotton.’ In cheaper models, the frame was netted with rope made from rushes, while finer examples were laced with comfortable broad canvas tape. Materials used in the construction of charpoys varied from inexpensive bamboo and wood to ivory, but in all cases the form remained the same. Cot legs were ornamented with a number of techniques including painting and carving. A more extravagant effect was created by encasing wooden charpoy legs and frames in sheets of silver and gold encrusted with semi-precious stones. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IS.2400A-1883 |
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| Record created | December 7, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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