十七世紀/十八世紀初 黃花梨圈椅

the rounded crestrail comprising five sections, supported by straight back posts and curved front and side posts, the gently curving central backsplat carved in relief with stylised confronting chilong enclosed within a ruyi-shaped medallion flanked by cusped flanges, the seat frame securing a soft cane matting and set above a beaded cusped apron, joined by foot stretchers of ascending heights

This horseshoe shaped chair is in good condition but does have some old repairs to the joints on the curving top rails. There is a small area of old damage to the interior of the left centre of the seat apron and some wear to the ends of the legs consistent 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."

本圈椅搭腦一木連作，線條起伏，連接扶手及前足，乃圈椅造型至罕之一，源自竹椅建構。竹匠拗彎柔韌竹枝成「U」形，以天然纖維繫緊，後木匠製作相近造型之硬木椅，以弧形圓材攢接椅圈，兩接圓材以楔釘榫結合，椅圈與扶手一順而下，做工技巧精妙，圓材打磨細滑，更顯黃花梨紋理優雅，色澤鮮明。

硬木圈椅流行於明朝，置於廳堂招待上賓，或作木轎。明六品官潘允澂(1589年卒)墓出土一具硬木圈椅木轎例，現藏於上海博物館，圖見沈之瑜《The Shanghai Museum of Art》，紐約，1983年，圖版 21。

比較一例，靠背刻螭龍紋，出自John Gruber收藏，圖見 Sarah Handler，，《Chinese Furniture. Selected Articles from Orientations 1984-1999》，香港，1999年，頁169，圖版 7；另一對售於紐約蘇富比1991年11月26日，編號458；再比一對例，售於紐約佳士得1982年12月1日，編號314；Robert A. Piccus亦收藏一例，帶羅鍋棖及矮老，圖錄於Karen Mazurkewich，，拉特蘭，2006年，圖版121。亦有素面靠背例，其一出自Mrs Charles M. Cooke收藏，現存於Honolulu Academy of Art，檀香山，曾展於該博物館《Chinese Hardwood Furniture in Hawaiian Collections》，檀香山，1982年，編號59；安思遠收藏一對例，《Chinese Furniture. One Hundred and Three Examples from the Mimi and Raymond Hung Collection》，香港，2005年，圖版14；另一對售於紐約佳士得1986年12月2日，編號392。