- 651
A FINE PAIR OF 'HUANGHUALI' YOKEBACK ARMCHAIRS (GUANMAO YI) 17TH CENTURY
Estimate
200,000 - 300,000 USD
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Description
- huanghuali wood
each finely carved of spare form, the undulating bow-shaped toprail with flattened headrest and rounded terminals, supported on a bowed splat and tapered stiles, extending to S-shaped armrails held by the curved front posts with lobed brackets and mid-section support, the front and back posts continue through the rectangular cane seat to form the legs of square section, set with simple beaded aprons in the front and plain aprons on the side, the legs held by box-stretchers with a flattened foot rest with simple apron attached to the front, rounded square stretchers with aprons on the sides and a plain square stretcher along the back (2)
Provenance
Peter Lai Antiques Ltd., Hong Kong.
Condition
In overall very good condition. The soft cane seat has been replaced.
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.
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
The present pair of yokeback armchairs is exceptional for the large size and the understated elegance of the softly curving stretchers. Such armchairs were among the most prestigious chairs in a traditional household and belong to the type known as guanmao yi ('official's hat chair'), referring to the resemblance of the crestrail to the extended wings characteristic of headdresses worn by oficials.
For a discussion of yokeback armchairs, see Curtis Evarts, 'From Ornate to Unadorned', Journal of the Chinese Classical Furniture Society, Spring 1993, pp. 24-33.