A Pair of Zitan Southern Official Hat Chairs, Inset with Marble, Nanguanmaoyi Qing Dynasty, 18th Century

each with round yokeback toprail supported on slender round stiles extending to the back legs, the bulging armrests supported on serpentine side posts and 'gooseneck' front posts, the S-curved backsplat inset with two rectangular black and white marble panels, suggesting clouds or a mountainous landscape, the legs joined by double stretchers set with straight struts below the rectangular frame, with mat seat, the feet joined by stepped stretchers with protruding tenons and a footrest above humpback aprons, the front legs with a humpback apron repeated at the sides

Purchased from Hei Hung-Lu, Hong Kong, late 1980s/early 1990s.

The chairs are in good condition with the exception of small areas of age cracks and filling to the back splats, hairline cracks to two of the marble panels on one chair (left chair as illustrated), possible replacement to some of the inner corner aprons, replaced hard matt seats, possibly replaced trimming strips, a short split to the top rear section of one top rail (left chair as illustrated) and minor surface scratches and wear commensurate with age.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This pair of armchairs are particularly attractive for their harmonious proportions, with the undulating line of the continuous crest rail effectively echoed by the arms and apron that simulate bamboo, while the inlaid marble panels create an attractive contrast to the luxurious and fine-grained zitan. These chairs are also notable on account of their base stretchers that protrude beyond the side posts, a characteristic that is seldom found on chairs of this period. While no closely related example appears to have been published, a zitan continuous yoke-back armchair with latticed apron and base stretcher simulating bamboo is illustrated in Sarah Handler, Ming Furniture in the Light of Chinese Architecture, Berkley, 2005, p. 119, together with another, inset on the splat with a marble panel, p. 121; and a pair of hongmu chairs, the splat with huamu panels and with similar low stretchers, sold in our New York rooms, 10^th/11^th April 1986, lot 461.

Chairs of this form are known as nanguanmaoyi or ‘Southern official’s hat armchairs’ and are considered one of the classic forms originating in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Although no dated examples appears to have survived, miniature chairs of this form were excavated from the 1589 tomb of Pan Yunzheng and his wives in Luwan district, Shanghai.