CHINE, FIN DU XVIÈME-DÉBUT DU XVIIÈME SIÈCLE

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.