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Lot Essay
The name guanmaoyi or ‘official’s hat-shaped chair is derived from its resemblance to the winged hat that was part of the formal attire of the Ming officials. They were regarded as high chairs and retained a connotation of status and authority associated with the elite gentry in Chinese society. The classical text Lu Ban jing [Manuscript of Lu Ban], a 15thcentury carpenter’s manual, gives specifications for these chairs and describes the joinery as the embodiment and fine example of Chinese furniture.
The present chairs are distinguished by their elaborate and refined carving, particularly in the most unusual, pierced medallion in the splat. Invariably pairs, or sets, of chairs have uniform decoration, identical, within the given parameters of hand carving, from chair to chair.
These chairs, and another two appear to come from the same set, the pair from the Cissy and Robert Tang Collection sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2023, lot 2705. The Tang chairs have different animals carved to the back rest, a qilin on one, and two mythical animals on the other (figs.2a.b).
It has been suggested by Curtis Evarts in his foreword in the Christie’s catalogue when the current pair of chairs was auctioned in 2003 that this decoration might relate to rank badges or some sort of hierarchical seating arrangement amongst family or guests. It is also most unusual to find such elaborate carved decoration to the aprons beneath the seat and beneath the foot stretcher and side and back stretchers. These elaborately carved chairs were crafted by an exceptional master carpenter.
Please note these lots incorporate material from endangered species which could result in export restrictions. You should check the relevant customs laws and regulations before bidding on this lot if you plan to import the lot into another country. Please refer to Christie’s Conditions of Sale.
The present chairs are distinguished by their elaborate and refined carving, particularly in the most unusual, pierced medallion in the splat. Invariably pairs, or sets, of chairs have uniform decoration, identical, within the given parameters of hand carving, from chair to chair.
These chairs, and another two appear to come from the same set, the pair from the Cissy and Robert Tang Collection sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2023, lot 2705. The Tang chairs have different animals carved to the back rest, a qilin on one, and two mythical animals on the other (figs.2a.b).
It has been suggested by Curtis Evarts in his foreword in the Christie’s catalogue when the current pair of chairs was auctioned in 2003 that this decoration might relate to rank badges or some sort of hierarchical seating arrangement amongst family or guests. It is also most unusual to find such elaborate carved decoration to the aprons beneath the seat and beneath the foot stretcher and side and back stretchers. These elaborately carved chairs were crafted by an exceptional master carpenter.
Please note these lots incorporate material from endangered species which could result in export restrictions. You should check the relevant customs laws and regulations before bidding on this lot if you plan to import the lot into another country. Please refer to Christie’s Conditions of Sale.