Each with a bowed crestrail above a curved back splat carved with floral scrolls in a beaded-edge medallion, the S-shaped arms with vertical supports and continued to S-shaped front support, extended to a soft cane seat mortised and tenoned to plain aprons, supported by legs of circular section with plain footstretchers just below the footrest.

Note: Armchairs such as the present type with enclosed crestrails are named nan guanmaoyi, or southern official’s armchair. The characteristic style of construction is depicting the image of an official’s hat, putou, as illustrated in Sancai Tuhui, which was published during Ming dynasty to demonstrate the power of privileged social rankings. Compare a few examples of the southern official’s armchairs in the Beijing Palace Museum, illustrated in Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (I), The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2002, P. 44-45, No. 30, 31. Also refer to Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, Ming and Early Qing Dynasties by Wang Shixiang, Hong Kong, 1990, for further discussions on the differing forms of chairs.

This item is made of a type of Dalbergia wood which is subject to CITES export/import restrictions since 2 January 2017. This item can only be shipped to addresses within Hong Kong or collected from our Hong Kong saleroom and office unless a CITES re-export permit is granted. Please contact the department for further information.