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A Pair of 'Huanghuali' 'Official's Hat' Armchairs (Sichutouguanmaoyi) Ming Dynasty
Description
Provenance
Christie's New York, 23rd June 1982, lot 491.
Thereafter with the present owners.
Condition
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Armchairs of this type, with their ample proportions and dignified bearing, would have been reserved for the eldest or most important member of a household, or an especially honored guest. A similar armchair, with more elaborate apron, but less sculptural ears and handrests, from the Collection of John W. Gruber, is illustrated in Sarah Handler, Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture, Hong Kong, 2001, no. 4.14, p. 54. Compare a pair of armchairs with shorter bracketed aprons illustrated in Robert D. Jacobsen with Nicholas Grindley, Classical Chinese Furniture in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, 1999, no. 8, pp. 50-51. Compare also the two armchairs with similar apron, but modified arm supports, illustrated in Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture, Hardwood Examples of the Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, New York, 1970, nos. 2, 4, pp. 109, 111.
Compare also a pair sold at Christie's New York, 1st December 1983, lot 863; a pair sold in these rooms, 28th September 1989, lot 324; and a pair with less rounded handrests, sold in these rooms, 22nd March 2001, lot 144.