A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI YOKEBACK ARMCHAIRS, GUANMAOYI

17th/18th century

17th/18th century
Each with a well-carved protruding crestrail supported on a broad S-shaped splat and curved rear posts continuing to form the rear legs of cylindrical section, the curved arms supported on tapering stiles and curved front posts continuing through the seat frames to form the front legs, the seat frames enclosing a soft-mat seat above a shaped apron and spandrels, the legs joined by stepped stretchers on the sides and footrests on the front. Each 122cm (48in) high x 60.7cm (24in) wide x 51cm (20in) deep. (2).

十七/十八世紀 黃花梨四出頭官帽椅一對

Referring to the winged hat of the formal attire worn by Ming officials, the term guanmaoyi conveyed status and authority associated with the highest-ranking classes in China. Compare with a very similar huanghuali armchair, Ming dynasty, illustrated by Wang Shixiang, Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, Hong Kong, 1990, p.43, no.A70. Another similar huanghuali yokeback armchair, late 16th-early 17th century, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is illustrated by N.Berliner, 'When Vernacular Meets Fine: Thoughts on Chinese Furniture Studies', Chinese Furniture: Selected Articles from Orientations 1984-1999, Hong Kong, 1999, pp.215, fig.11.

Compare with a similar huanghuali yokeback armchair, 17th century, which was sold at Bonhams London, 13 May 2021, lot 37.