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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 15th century carpenter’s manual, gives specifications for these chairs and describes the joinery as the embodiment and fine example of Chinese furniture.
Compare to a pair of slightly smaller huanghuali chairs (107 cm. high) of similar form and with similarly carved aprons, from the Mingjishantang Collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2023, lot 2918, and a pair from the Gangolf Geis Collection, sold at Christie's New York, 19 September 2003, lot 38 and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2024, lot 2916.
This item is made of a type of Dalbergia wood which is subject to CITES export/import restrictions since 2 January 2017. This item can only be shipped to addresses within Hong Kong or collected from our Hong Kong saleroom and office unless a CITES re-export permit is granted. Please contact the department for further information.
Compare to a pair of slightly smaller huanghuali chairs (107 cm. high) of similar form and with similarly carved aprons, from the Mingjishantang Collection, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2023, lot 2918, and a pair from the Gangolf Geis Collection, sold at Christie's New York, 19 September 2003, lot 38 and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2024, lot 2916.
This item is made of a type of Dalbergia wood which is subject to CITES export/import restrictions since 2 January 2017. This item can only be shipped to addresses within Hong Kong or collected from our Hong Kong saleroom and office unless a CITES re-export permit is granted. Please contact the department for further information.