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A HUANGHUALI YOKEBACK ARMCHAIR (SICHUTOU GUANMAOYI) 17TH / 18TH CENTURY
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description
- huanghuali wood
the curved crestail terminating with rounded ends, joined to slender cylindrical stiles and a wide bowed rectangular splat, the scrolling arms terminating in rounded out-curved handgrips and serpentine recessed brace joined to the molded soft-matted seat frame supported by two bowed transverse stretchers beneath, the legs joined by plain spandreled aprons, three cylindrical stretchers and a wide footrest, the feet capped with metal mounts
Provenance
Sotheby's New York, 12th April 1990, lot 620.
Condition
Small holes on the top rail and back posts indicate the previous presence of reinforcing metal straps. The shaped arm brackets, spandrelled aprons and foot rail stretcher (now glued in) may be replaced. There is filled repair to the joinery and the metal caps on the feet indicate protection from wear and possibly - slight reduction in height.
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 yokeback armchair is notable for its large size and the understated elegance of its curvilinear outline. The thick, sturdy hardwood frame is refined by the delicate movement of the form and further lightened by the absence of a supporting post at the midsection of each arm. This unusual feature is usually associated with furniture made during the Kangxi period. Yokeback 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 hats worn by officials.
A closely related armchair is illustrated in Hu Deshang, The Palace Museum Collection, A Treasury of Ming and Qing Dynasty Palace Furniture, vol. 1, Beijing, 2007, pl. 78. 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.
A closely related armchair is illustrated in Hu Deshang, The Palace Museum Collection, A Treasury of Ming and Qing Dynasty Palace Furniture, vol. 1, Beijing, 2007, pl. 78. 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.