A PAIR OF NANMU-INSET HUANGHUALI 'SOUTHERN OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS
A PAIR OF NANMU-INSET HUANGHUALI 'SOUTHERN OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS
A PAIR OF NANMU-INSET HUANGHUALI 'SOUTHERN OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS
3 More
A PAIR OF NANMU-INSET HUANGHUALI 'SOUTHERN OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS
6 More
Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE NEW YORK COLLECTION
A PAIR OF NANMU-INSET HUANGHUALI 'SOUTHERN OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS

17TH-18TH CENTURY

Details
A PAIR OF NANMU-INSET HUANGHUALI 'SOUTHERN OFFICIAL'S HAT' ARMCHAIRS
17TH-18TH CENTURY
Each chair has a crestrail supported by the S-form tripartite backsplat with openwork panels above a carved nanmu panel carved with a pair of chilong. The mat seat is set above the plain, beaded apron and spandrels, all raised on legs of rounded-square section joined by stretchers on the sides and a footrest at the front.
45 1/4 in. (114.9 cm.) high, 23 in. (58.4 cm.) wide, 21 1/4 in. (54 cm.) deep
Provenance
Grace Wu Bruce, Hong Kong.
‌Top Arts Gallery, Hong Kong, 2005.
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.
Sale room notice
Please note the correct size of this lot should be 45 ¼ in. (114.9 cm.) high, 23 in. (58.4 cm.) wide, 21 ¼ in. (54 cm.) deep

請注意此拍品之正確尺寸應為45 1/4 英吋 (114.9 厘米) 高,23 英吋. (58.4 厘米.) 寬,21 ¼ 英吋. (54 厘米.) 深

Brought to you by

Rufus Chen (陳嘉安)
Rufus Chen (陳嘉安) Head of Sale, AVP, Specialist

Lot Essay

The 'southern official's hat' armchair is one of the most popular forms in Chinese furniture construction. They differ from the 'official's hat' armchair in that their crest rails continue into the back rails as opposed to extending beyond them.
The tripartite back splat, which often incorporates a central decorative panel featuring an exquisitely carved or left undecorated to highlight the beautiful grain of the wood, appears to be a common feature in the late Ming period. The present pair of arm chairs is a great example of the type featuring an exquisitely carved chilong panels at the center in contrast with the elegantly pierced or arched huanghuali panels above and below.
A related pair of huanghuali and nanmu 'southern official’s hat' armchairs of similar proportions and dated to the Yongzheng period, was illustrated by R. H. Ellsworth in Chinese Furniture: One Hundred and Three Examples from the Mimi and Raymond Hung Collection, New York, 2005, p.37, no.13, and subsequently sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 December 2009, lot 1933.

More from Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

View All
View All