Lot 137. A rare mother-of-pearl inlaid brown lacquer side chair, yitongbei, Early Qing Dynasty; 104 by 53 by 42.5cm, 41 by 21 by 16 3/4 in. Estimate 20,000 — 30,000 GBP. Lot sold 43,750 GBP. Photo Sotheby's.

with a stepped crest rail above a slender curved central splat, the side posts continuing through the frame, above archaistic openwork aprons, the legs of square section joined by stretchers, the splat inlaid in mother-of-pearl with a circular and rectangular medallion, each enclosing a pair of confronted kui dragons against a trellis diaper ground, variations of which are repeated on the crest rail, side posts, seat, legs and stretchers, with a lotus scroll border framing the seat and gilded highlights to the apron.

Provenance: A Noble Belgian Family Collection.