“Box-bed”的意思、由来-开放百科全书

A box-bed (also known as a closed bed, close bed, or enclosed bed) is a bed enclosed in furniture that looks like a cupboard, half-opened or not. The form originates in western European late medieval furniture.

The box-bed is closed on all sides by panels of wood. One enters it by removing curtains, opening a door hinge or sliding doors on one or two slides.

In front of the box-bed was often a large oaken chest, with the same length as the bed. This was always the 'seat of honour,' and served also as a step for climbing into the bed. It was also used to store clothing, underwear and bedding the rest of the time.^[1]

The closed-bed in Brittany

In Brittany, the closed-bed (French: lit-clos) (Breton: gwele-kloz) is a traditional furnishing. In homes with usually only one room, the box-bed allowed some privacy and helped keep people warm during winter. Similar enclosed bed furniture was once also found in western Britain; Devon, Cornwall, Wales particularly in Gower.^[2]

Some closed-beds were built one above the other in a double-decker, two-story arrangement. In this case, young people were sleeping upstairs.^[3]

It was the main furniture of rural houses in Brittany until the 20th century. Often carved and decorated, it was the pride of its owners.

Closed-beds were 1.60 to 1.70 m length, long enough for people of that region who were rather small. And because they slept in an almost sitting position, they leaned on three or four pillows.^[4] It was the tradition of the Middle Ages not to sleep lying down, because that is the position of the dead and of effigies.{{Citation needed|date=November 2013}}{{dubious|date=January 2018}}

Later out of fashion and because they were expensive to make, box-beds were gradually abandoned in the 19th and 20th centuries. Fine pieces were put in museums (Lampaul-Guimiliau, Nantes, Quimper, Rennes, St-Brieuc), while most of them were converted into bookshelves, dressers or TV cabinets. In the 21st century, rental companies offer nights in authentic box-beds. The contemporary Breton designers Erwan and Ronan Bouroullec have reinterpreted the form with their lit-clos, 2000 for Galerie kreo.

Box-beds were also used to protect people of the home from the animals (pigs, hens) also living in the house,^[5] or even to protect them from wolves who might enter houses and snatch babies. {{citation needed|date=January 2013}}

The closet-bed in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands the closet-bed, or bedstede, was in common use into the 19th century, particularly in farmhouses in the countryside. Closet-beds were closed off with a door or a curtain.

One of the advantages of the closet-bed was that it could be built into the living room and closed off during the day, making a separate bedroom unnecessary. The other main advantage was that, during the winter, the small area of the closet-bed would be warmed by body heat. This meant the stove would not need to be kept stoked at night. The door would not be shut completely, but left open a bit.

During the 16th and 17th century, closet-beds were much smaller. Lying down was associated with death, and therefore sleeping was done in a half-upright position. These closet-beds held two people, and beneath them were often drawers "rolkoetsen" that pulled out and provided beds for the children.

References

1. ^http://www.oldandinteresting.com/breton-box-beds.aspx
2. ^{{cite web |url=http://education.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/27201 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-12-08 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211051101/http://education.gtj.org.uk/en/item1/27201 |archivedate=2013-12-11 |df= }}
3. ^Thomas and Frances Trollope, A Summer in Brittany, 1840.
4. ^{{fr icon}} Ils sont fous ces Bretons#Coop Breizh|Erwan Vallerie, p. 104
5. ^http://www.wagner-juergen.de/franz/litclos.htm