A Pair of 'Huanghuali' Horseshoe-Back Armchairs (Quanyi). 17th / 18th Century

Each with continuous curved crest terminating in everted rounded handrests, above a curved splat with lobed side brackets, the center of the splat carved in low-relief with a pair of opposing qilong within a cartouche, the arms on serpentine supports, the front supports with lobed brackets under the handrests; the vertical stiles and front supports continuing through the rectangular seat with molded edge, inset with hard cane, to the slightly splayed legs of circular section, curved apron brackets to the front and sides, the front apron carved in low-relief with twining scrolls and a beaded edge, the wood of a medium golden brown (2) - 38 1/2 by 25 by 24 1/2 in., 98 by 63.5 by 62.3 cm -  30,000—50,000 USD

PROVENANCE : Canfield Himes, Cuernavaca, Mexico, acquired in China in the 1950s.
Thence by descent.
Acquired from the above by the present owner.

NOTE : Horseshoe-back chairs, or 'round-back' chairs, would have been among the most important seats in a room, being reserved for the most important or eldest person in a gathering. In common with seating hierarchy in Europe, armchairs would imply the greater importance of a sitter than a side chair, which would in turn imply a higher social standing than a person who is given a stool to sit on. For similar horseshoe-back chairs, compare the pair sold in these rooms, 25th April 1987, lot 564; another pair, sold in these rooms, 1st June 1994, lot 607; and a third pair, sold at Christie's New York, 21st September 2000, lot 20.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art including Chinese and Japanese Art from The Collection of Frieda and Milton Rosenthal. 16 Sep 08. www.sotheby's.com