A pair of huanghuali 'official's hat' yokeback armchairs, sichutou guanmaoyi, Ming dynasty, 17th century | 明十七世紀 黃花梨四出頭官帽椅成對

Collection of Mr and Mrs Berger Vachon, acquired in China in 1930-35.

Beurdeley collection, acquired in Paris circa 1985.

Berger Vachon 伉儷收藏，1930-35年購於中國

Beurdeley 收藏，約1985年購於巴黎

Considered to be classic examples of Ming furniture, yokeback armchairs are known for their modern and clean aesthetics with a graceful silhouette, with a strong emphasis placed on the natural grain and patina of the honey-toned huanghuali wood rather than on decorations. This type of chairs is commonly referred to as sichutou guanmaoyi (‘official's hat-shaped chair with four protruding ends’), as the top rail of the chair resembles the winged hat that was part of the formal attire of the officials. Reserved only for the eldest or most important member of a household, or an especially honoured guest, these chairs bestowed a perception of status and position onto those who sat on them.

官帽椅乃明式傢具經典制式，造型典雅和諧，比例恰宜大方。其線條靈動簡練，委婉有致，甚具現代美感。搭腦兩端稍出頭，與明代官吏所戴帽子相似，故名「官帽椅」，為府中主人或貴客專用。對椅以珍貴的黃花梨為料，通體光素無紋，尤顯擇料精良，木紋自然天成，紋理如行雲流水，簡雅素麗，實誠美學典範。