A pair of huanghuali horseshoe back chairs, 17th-18th century. Photo Bonhams.

The five-section curved toprail tenoned into an elaborate S-shaped splat carved with two panels showing a single vase incorporated into a ruyi head above a landscape montage of a flowering plum issuing from stylized rockwork near a potted lingzhi branch, the upper section framed by beaded brackets repeated under the back splat which is tenoned into the hard seat once pierced for caning and now fitted with a woven mat, the arm rests supported by back posts run through the seat to form the hind legs, a central curved short post and a continuous front rail, the seat butted to a humpback apron joined by vertical posts over box stretchers. 38 1/2in (97.8cm) high. Sold for US$ 185,000 (€135,849)

FINE CHINESE WORKS OF ART, San Francisco, 24 Jun 2014 -http://www.bonhams.com/