Lot Essay
For a larger related example with a flowerhead carved on the backsplat, formerly one of four in the collection of Wang Shixiang, refer to Wang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, vol. II, pp. 48-49, A77
Details
A PAIR OF FINE AND RARE ZITAN SOUTHERN OFFICIAL'S HAT ARMCHAIRS, NANGUANMAOYI
18TH CENTURY
The deeply curved toprail continuing to the corner posts of rounded section, extending to the back legs below the rectangular frame with soft-mat seat and outward curving front, the backsplat with a delicate beaded ruyi cloudhead medallion, the armrests supported by serpentine side posts, continuing to the front corner posts and extending to the front legs, the splayed legs joined at the front by an elegant undulating apron carved with four volutes, at the sides by humpback aprons, and below by stepped stretchers, the footrest supported on a humpback stretcher centered with a ruyi cloudhead, the wood of attractive purplish hue
37in. (94cm.) high, 24in. (61cm.) wide, 22½in. (57cm.) deep (2)
18TH CENTURY
The deeply curved toprail continuing to the corner posts of rounded section, extending to the back legs below the rectangular frame with soft-mat seat and outward curving front, the backsplat with a delicate beaded ruyi cloudhead medallion, the armrests supported by serpentine side posts, continuing to the front corner posts and extending to the front legs, the splayed legs joined at the front by an elegant undulating apron carved with four volutes, at the sides by humpback aprons, and below by stepped stretchers, the footrest supported on a humpback stretcher centered with a ruyi cloudhead, the wood of attractive purplish hue
37in. (94cm.) high, 24in. (61cm.) wide, 22½in. (57cm.) deep (2)
Literature
Curtis Evarts, "A Pair of Zitan Southern Official's Hat Armchairs", JCCFS, Autumn 1991, pp. 4-9, and cover
Sarah Handler, "Classical Chinese Furniture in the Renaissance Collection", Orientations, January 1991, p. 49, fig. 13
Leslie Lackman Mott, "The Challenge of Simplicity: An Interview with James Kline", JCCFS, Spring 1993, p. 56, fig. 5
Wang et al., Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, p. 66, no. 31
Sarah Handler, "Classical Chinese Furniture in the Renaissance Collection", Orientations, January 1991, p. 49, fig. 13
Leslie Lackman Mott, "The Challenge of Simplicity: An Interview with James Kline", JCCFS, Spring 1993, p. 56, fig. 5
Wang et al., Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture, p. 66, no. 31