Lot 211
  • 211

A Pair of 'Huanghuali' 'Official's Hat' Armchairs (Sichutouguanmaoyi) Ming Dynasty

Estimate
80,000 - 100,000 USD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

each with bow-shaped crestrail with protruding ears over a serpentine splat and stiles, the serpentine arms on serpentine supports terminating in curved rounded handrests above flanges with beaded scrolled edges, the stiles and front supports of circular section, continuing through the rectangular seat with molded edge and hard cane seat to the slightly splayed legs with slightly arched apron brackets with beaded edge to the front and sides, box stretcher, the wood of golden brown, with pale green and pink Chinese velvet cushions (4)

Provenance

Property of a Lady, Chicago (until 1982).
Christie's New York, 23rd June 1982, lot 491.
Thereafter with the present owners.

Condition

soft cane seats converted to hard cane, transverse strtechers probably of a later date, several aprons beneath box stretcher probably of a later date, as may be some of the long brackets, scattered filled small cracks, including to ends of crestrail, splat and arms; first chair with 3 inch crack to back of top of seat, small loss to corner of top of seat by one arm support, 6 inch crack to one box stretcher on side, repaired break to handrest, underside of aprons with added supports and corners, small repair at mitre joint at front of apron, small repair to corner of front box stretcher, associated repaired break to foot, repair to end of side arched apron and another to mitre join; second chair with repaired breaks to one handrest, repaired break to crestrail, crack to top of back of seat from crest to stile, spline added along vertical edge of front apron, one side of back box stretcher coming loose
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.