Explore the history of Asian export furniture in this video series with Bill Sargent, curator of the Asian Export Art collection at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. The collection brings together woodwork, paintings, porcelains, and a wide range of other objects created between the 15th and 20th centuries that were built for private trade with Europe and the West.

The extravagant “Moon Bed” seen in this video is the visual centerpiece of the Asian Export Art collection. Made in 1876 as a gift to the West, the bed is a stunning example of Chinese carving, decorative illustration, and joinery. No fasteners or glue were used in its original construction.

East meets West
In addition to capturing a slice of furniture-making history, the Asian Export Art collection also illustrates an important relationship between the East and West: the sharing of design ideas between its craftsman.

A carved chair (photo right) on display that was built in China around 1750 appears to have many elements found on 18th-century furniture from Europe and America, such as the cabriole leg. However, its design is strictly Chinese, as evidenced by the lion mask and Ming-style carvings that decorate it. Also part of the collection is a solid-ivory desk produced around the same time that features many of these Western design elements.

For more information about the Peabody Essex Museum call 866-745-1876 or go online at www.pem.org.

May 8, 2006