Page 128 - Imperial Sale Chinese Works of Art June 1 2016 HK
P. 128
THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
3249
A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI LOWBACK PROVENANCE
ARMCHAIRS, MEIGUIYI A Massachusetts private collection
Sold at Sotheby’s New York, 22 March 1995, lot 393
LATE MING-EARLY QING DYNASTY, 17TH-18TH CENTURY
Chairs of this type are known as meiguiyi in the north but in the south
Each is composed of members fitted together with characteristic they are known as wenyi or scholar’s chair. The form is characterised
by its low regular back and it is thought that when placed in the
pipe joints. The back is formed by an open rectangular back scholar’s studio, it would fit neatly under the window without
obstructing the view outside. The current pair of chairs is particularly
frame, decorated with beaded aprons carved with keyfret scrolls rare as they retain their original solid hard-panel seat, while many
other examples from the same period had their seats replaced with
on the three sides, the hard-panel seat enclosed in the rectangular soft mat.
frame. The back pillars and the arms are joined by T-shaped
railings and continue to form the four legs, embraced together
along the lower legs by a foot rest, two side stretchers and an
ascending back stretcher.
33 √ in. (86 cm.) high; 22 ¬ in. (57.5 cm.) wide;
17 √ in. (45.5 cm.) deep (2)
HK$800,000-1,500,000 US$110,000-190,000
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