Page 103 - 2021 March 18 to 19th, Important Chinese Works of Art, Christie's New York City

PROPERTY FROM THE WHITACRE FAMILY COLLECTION
836
A RARE PAIR OF NANMU-INSET JICHIMU ARMCHAIRS The inscriptions on each chair are taken from the poems composed
18TH CENTURY by the Tang dynasty poets Liu Yuxi (AD 772-842) and Qian Qi (active
Each has a tall curved nanmu back splat inscribed with a poetic inscription circa AD 751) respectively, and can be translated as “Instant ecstasy
followed by a signature, Qichang, and a seal Xuanzai and Taishishi respectively, upon seeing [one’s] elegant demeanor,” and “Golden orioles fly into the
that extends above the openwork back and side rails carved as archaistic forest in February.”
scrollwork. The wide rectangular hard mat seat is above a narrow waist and
plain apron, supported on square-section legs joined by a base stretcher of The calligraphy in which the two inscriptions are executed is in
conforming shape. the style of Dong Qichang (1555-1636), a calligrapher, painter and
theoretician of the late Ming dynasty. Xuanzai was Dong's alternative
32Ω in. (82.3 cm.) high, 23√ in. (60.7 cm.) wide, 19æ in. (50.2 cm.) deep (2)
name and Taishishi appears to be the inscription on one of his
personal seals.
$25,000-35,000

PROVENANCE:
The Collection of Dr. Frank E. (1897-1971) and Lillian (1907-1986) Whitacre, 清十八世紀 雞翅木嵌楠木詩文扶手椅一對
acquired between 1938-1939, and thence by descent within the family. 題識：「一時驚喜見風儀 二月黃鸝飛上林」
落款：「其昌」「太史氏」「玄宰」
來源:
Frank E. (1897-1971) 暨 Lillian (1907-1986) Whitacre 伉儷珍藏,
入藏於1938至1939年間, 後家族傳承。