A pair of huanghuali horseshoe armchairs, China, 1550-1650. Photo Nagel Auktionen

With five-part pressure wedge pin overlapping scarf joints supported on two rear circular section uprights which continue through the seat rail to form the back legs. The front legs are of similar construction, square in the section beneath the seat rail are tenoned into the underside of the arm with small sprandrels beneath the outcurving 'handles'. The plain S-curved splat is tenoned into the underside of the arm and into the back rail of the seat frame. The seat rail is of typical mitred, mortise and tenon frame construction with two curved transverse stretchers with a soft matting seat (replaced) with replaced trimming strips.The tenons are exposed in the short rails of the seat frame. The stretchers between the legs are of typical box frame construction in ascending heights from the front foot rail to the side and rear stretchers, all of which have exposed tenons. The mitred and half-lapped moulded front apron is carved at the top with a scrolling tendril design. This apron is tongue and grooved into the inside edge of the leg and butt-jointed to the underside of the seat rail (one front side apron replaced). The side aprons are of similar construction but with a moulded edge (some side apron pieces replaced). The rear apron is of the plain eared type as are the aprons beneath the footrail and side aprons, partly replacements. H. 101 cm. Estimate 70 000 / 90 000 €

Property from a Hamburg private collection, bought from Nicholas Grindley, Barliong of Mount Street, 11.9.1992 

Nagel Auktionen. Asian Art, 2013/05/10. http://www.auction.de