18TH CENTURY

Details

A HUANGHUALI 'OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIR, SICHUTOUGUANMAOYI
18TH CENTURY
The protruding crestrail is supported on a broad S-shaped backsplat and curved rear posts which continue to form the rear legs. The curved arms are supported on tapering, curved stiles and curved front posts which continue through the seat frame to form the front legs. The molded seat frame encloses a hard mat seat above beaded, cusped aprons and spandrels. The round-section legs are joined by stepped stretchers at the sides and a foot rest at the front.
44 in. (111.8 cm.) high, 23 ¾ in. (60.3 cm.) wide, 21 ¼ in. (54 cm.) deep

Provenance

Acquired in the United States in 2001.

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.

Brought to you by

Olivia Hamilton

asianartny@christies.com 212-636-2180

Lot Essay

The 'four corners-exposed' armchair is one of the earliest and classic forms found in huanghuali furniture design. The elegant lines and grand proportions of the present chair are especially attractive. A number of variations on this type are known, including those with rounded or cut-off squared members, those with carved splats, and those with added decorative carving or embellishment.

A pair of yoke-back arm chairs of comparable proportions, with 'four exposed ends' to the yoke and arms cut-off square, dated to seventeenth century, but with plain aprons, is in The Art Institute of Chicago, and one of which is illustrated by L. Mason Jr. in "Examples of Ming Furniture in American Collections Formed Prior to 1980," Chinese Furniture: Selected Articles from Orientations 1984-1999, p. 134, fig. 7. Another similar pair with plain aprons was sold at Christie’s New York, 13 September 2019, lot 892.

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