.jpg?mode=max)
Lot Essay
Chairs of this type are known as meiguiyi in the north but in the south they are known as wenyi or scholar's chair. The form is characterised by its low regular back and it is thought that when placed in the scholar's studio, it would fit neatly under the window without obstructing the view outside. The current pair of chairs is particularly rare as they retain their original solid hard-panel seat, while many other examples from the same period had their seats replaced with soft mat.