Lot 155. A pair of inscribed and metal-mounted hongmu 'Official's hat' armchairs, Qing dynasty, 19th century; 117 by 61 by 46 cm, 46 by 24 by 18 in. Estimate £10,000 — 15,000. Courtesy Sotheby's.

each with round yokeback toprail supported on slender round stiles extending to the back legs, the bulging armrests supported on serpentine side posts and 'gooseneck' front posts, the S-curved backsplat carved with the Tang Dynasty poem Wangyue huaiyuan by Hang Jiuling, above the rectangular seat set with soft mat, the feet joined by stretchers and a footrest above humpback aprons, the front legs with a humpback apron, floral etched white-metal mounts to both ends of the top rail, front corner of the seat and top of the front posts .