17TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE PAIR OF HUANGHUALI HORSESHOE-BACK ARMCHAIRS, QUANYI
17TH CENTURY
Each has a sweeping crestrail terminating in outswept handles, that is supported on an attractively-grained C-form splat finely carved with a ruyi-form medallion enclosing a pair of confronting dragons and flanked by shaped spandrels. The mat seat is set within the rectangular frame above shaped aprons carved with conjoined leafy scroll and shaped spandrels. The legs of rounded square section are joined by stepped stretchers and a foot rest above a plain apron.
38 ¾ in. (98.3 cm.) high, 26 in. (66 cm.) wide, 24 ¾ in. (62.9 cm.) deep

Provenance

Private collection, New Mexico.
Vernay & Jussel, New York.
Robert H. Ellsworth, New York.
The Marie Theresa L. Virata (1923-2015) Collection.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

The present chairs are distinguished by the attractively figured grain on the backsplat and the precise carving of the ruyi-form medallion. A single huanghuali horseshoe-back armchair, also with exquisitely grained backsplat and finely carved medallion, formerly in the collection of Robert H. Ellsworth, was sold Christie's New York, 18 March 2015, lot 139.

For a discussion of this chair shape, see R.H. Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture: Hardwood Examples of the Ming and Early Ch'ing Dynasty, New York, 1971, pp. 86-87, and Wang Shixiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture: Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, Hong Kong, 1990, pp. 43-45.

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