清十七世紀 黃花梨扇形南官帽椅一對

each with a curved front edge of the seat frame resembling a fan, the shape echoed by the rounded apron framed by a beaded edge and accented by a small pair of detached confronting dragons carved in relief, the circular-sectioned legs continuing up through the seat to the front and back posts supporting the arms and the continuous crestrail flanking the central splat on each side, the matted backsplat divided into three registers with a ruyi-head motif enclosing a trefoil carved above a rectangular panel of lozenge-woven matting, and a barbed cusped apron just above the soft-caned seat, all above the foot-stretcher with a metal liner

安思遠，《洪氏所藏木器百圖第二卷》，香港，2005年，頁32-33，編號11

The overall condition is quite good. One armchair with repaired breaks to the continuous joints of the crestrail indicating perhaps the upper section of the splat is replaced. One front leg with a stabilized split. The other chair with a filled patch to the underside of the crestrail, approximately 3 1 cm. All joints are consolidated and it is likely that some of the aprons and stretchers are 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. 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."

此對官帽椅工藝特別，使他們更顯珍貴。靠背板攢框鑲心、扇形座面、背板和牙板上雕刻紋飾，在同類中少見。創新的設計是中國家具的主要特徵，明清兩代和當今的座具工匠面臨著同一個難題：如何為不同類形的人類創造輕便、穩重而舒適的座具。

設計這對椅子上實用而創新意念的工匠無論在當時或當今都令人讚嘆。靠背及座面心鑲蓆面，予人舒適涼快之感，更會隨著人體的重量和在椅上的活動而變形，體現了人體工程學的原理。蓆面在受壓後隨人體的曲線自然下凹，因而減輕了座面的壓力。座面要承受人體重量，蓆心鑲嵌於木框之內，抗拉抗壓強度比木板更高。在硬地上重複地拉動椅子，導致足部的磨損；長期提起扶手合背板，增加了茆榫之間的壓力。堅硬的木材配合其他元件，能令椅子更加耐用。

座面呈扇形，前後大邊呈弧形，方便使用。座面上座沿、扶手圓潤柔美，顯得通透豁達。此對椅的造型和製作是基於人體舒適感為前題，這也是由古至今的追求。

儘管傳世品中有部份例子帶相同的元素，但也難與此對作例比較。王世襄，《明清傢俱鑒賞》，卷二，頁48、49，圖A77。美國明尼阿波利斯藝術學院藏一張帶同樣設計元素鐵梨木及及鸂鶒木臥榻，見Jacobsen 及 Grindley，《Chinese Classical Furniture》，Paragon Publishing ，1999年，編號23。紫檀扇形雕雲紋椅，見田家青，《清代家具集珍》，圖28。