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Height 46⅛ in., 117.1 cm; width 23 in., 58.5 cm; depth 19½ in., 49.6 cm
来源:藍理捷,紐約,1986年
展览:《Inaugural Exhibition Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art》,藍理捷,紐約,1986年,編號43
图录
说明:Of luminous huanghuali wood of the highest quality, the present pair of chairs represent a particularly rare variation of the beloved sichutou guanmaoyi (‘four protrusions official’s hat chair’) design. Also known as ‘Northern official’s hat’ chairs— in contrast to ‘southern’ counterparts in which the members do not protrude— the present design possesses a sense of movement and grandeur unique to its design in which the curve of the backsplat is generously mirrored in the curving of the top-rail as it meets the neck and the arms as they gently caress the sides.
While the present pair are in many ways classical examples of their type, with generous curves and exceptional wood quality, they also possess a few more atypical features, particularly the carved ruyi cloud designs to the backsplats and classical scrollwork to the aprons. Carved designs of this type, which further accentuate the curves of the form and possess auspicious meanings (the ruyi associated with wish-granting and longevity), are rarely found on chairs of this type. Compare a closely related chair of almost identical backsplat and apron design from the personal collection of Wang Shixiang (1914-2009), illustrated in Classical Chinese Furniture. Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, Hong Kong, 1986, pl. 46, alongside a southern official’s hat armchair of related ruyi backsplat and apron scroll pl. 48. Also compare a related pair of plain backsplat and more geometric apron design sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 9th April 2024, lot 3679; and another pair of more florid openwork backsplats and apron design in the Nelson from the Canton Collection of Ronald Poon, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 16th October 2024, lot 818.