A CHINESE HUANGHUALI HORSESHOE-BACK ARMCHAIR, QUANYI

A CHINESE HUANGHUALI HORSESHOE-BACK ARMCHAIR, QUANYI
QING DYNASTY

With a curving top rail, which slopes down to arms supported by serpentine side posts and terminating in scrolls. The back splat carved with a ruyi-shaped panels closing a stylised lingzhi, the back corner posts continuing below the rectangular framed seat which is set with wicker. The legs joined by stretchers and with elegantly shaped aprons, 87cm high, 64cm wide, 46cm deep.

Provenance: property of a deceased estate, West Sussex.

Horseshoe-back armchairs of this type were seats of honour and were often depicted in Ming and Qing dynasty woodblock illustrations. The design, with the elegant curved top rails, enjoyed continued popularity, and gave the sitter a commanding presence, particularly when draped with sumptuous textiles. They were also used informally for dining, painting, or receiving guests, and with the addition of carrying poles, became sedan chairs.

清 黃花梨圈椅
來源：西薩塞克斯郡遺產。