Lot 33
  • 33

An assembled pair of Chinese export red-japanned caned side chairs mid 18th century

Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 USD
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Description

The first stamped I to the back rail, the other stamped II to the back rail.  Redecorated.

Condition

Overall good restored condition; redecorated; later corner blocks; later wood strip to inside edge of back seat rail; extensive losses and flaking to the painted decoration with large areas of inpainting and redecoration. The first stamped I and with small chips and losses to the cresting rail at join with the splat; small old repaired break to the bottom of the splat at the left side; the drop-in seat with two later strips of wood to the interior of two sides for support; some pegs to the rush seats replaced; areas of old worm damage to seat rails, legs and feet. The other stamped II with replaced back right bracket; old worm damage to seat rails, legs and feet; age cracks to bottoms of feet; plugs to back right leg at join with seat rails.
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

This pair of chairs with its gold decoration on a sealing-wax red ground typifies the manner in which the Chinese artisan attempted to interpret English furniture designs, but then allowed eastern methods of construction. The profile of the legs, although similar to English examples, has a higher claw support, with a larger ball than found in European examples. The vase-shaped splats, with their arched and scrolled crest rails, are typical of English examples dating from the same period; see D. Howard, A Tale of Three Cities, Canton, Shanghai & Hong Kong, exh. cat., Sotheby's, London, 1997, p. 173, no. 225, for a related settee.