Page 10 - Classical Chinese Furniture from Heveningham Hall may 28 2021 hk.pdf

the monochromatic picture, we can upper back splat encircles the lively
still feel the warm and rich texture of dragons, echoing the qilin pattern on
the material and the tension hidden the middle section.
in the clean silhouette. This iconic Lot 2820 拍品編號 2820
image also highlights the excellence Folding stools (jiaowu) are the
of Ming furniture in terms of material, craftsmanship and predecessors of folding chairs and are a common type
design, capturing the allure of the classical Ming furniture that of Chinese furniture that dates back to the Eastern Han
transcends time and space. I am deeply impressed by Gustav dynasty. The design was introduced to China with the rise of
Ecké’s understanding of the category. The daybed, illustrated Buddhism. The west wall of Mogao Cave 257 in Dunhuang
again on p.15 of the book, was sold twice by Christie’s New features an early image of a jiaowu, while an important
York in 1997 and 2000. This spring, it returns to the saleroom example was unearthed in a Tuyuhun royal tomb from the
of Christie’s Hong Kong after 21 years (lot 2803). With a Wuzhou period in the Tang Dynasty in Tianzhu, Gansu in
width of 105 cm, it is amongst the largest hard wood daybeds, 2019. The design had barely changed for over a thousand
of which only a few examples were seen in the past few years, and only a variation with foot rest was developed in
years. The holes on the underside indicate that it originally the late Yuan dynasty and the early Ming dynasty. A dozen
came with soft mats and was later refitted with hard boards, of huanghuali folding stools remain in existence today, but
demonstrating the common restoration technique used in there are only two surviving zitan models, including the one
Beijing during the Republic period. The daybed is simple and presented in this sale. This zitan folding stool with a well-
elegant in design with a plain body to set off the natural beauty documented provenance (lot 2820) was previously in the
of the material. The frame, recessed waist, apron and legs collection of the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture
illustrate the harmonious proportions, while the sturdy legs in California. The institute is acclaimed for its collection of
terminating in hoof feet are a sight to behold. remarkable quality and diversity, as well as its contributions
to academic research on Chinese furniture collecting. A
Folding chairs (jiaoyi) are the rarest and most important type selection of its furniture collection, including this folding stool,
of Chinese furniture and were used on travels due to their were presented at a designated Autumn sale of Christie’s
portability. Since the Song dynasty, a jiaoyi had been used as New York in 1996, and all lots were sold, setting a new world
the throne for the emperor when he left the palace. However, record for a single Chinese art sale.
very few examples survived the test of time and only around 30
huanghuali folding chairs from the Ming and Qing dynasties Now, I would like to introduce two examples of armchairs.
remain in public institutions and private hands today. This The first one is the huanghuali Southern official’s hat armchair
medium-sized huanghuali folding horseshoe-back armchair (nanguanmaoyi) (lot 2811) illustrated in Classical Chinese
(lot 2809) features a seemingly three-panel back splat that Furniture: A Very Personal Point of View by Marcus Flacks
was in fact crafted from a single board. This style was popular measuring 123.2 cm in height. The low seat contrasts sharply
among folding chairs and horseshoe-back chairs made in with the elevated arm rails, exuding authority and power. The
early Qing dynasty, a good example is the folding horseshoe- striking and sleek crest rail carved from a single block extends
back armchair previously in the collection of the Museum of outwards like the widespread wings. The thick headrest in the
Classical Chinese Furniture in California. The majestic qilin middle and the wide and sturdy back splat offer both visual
in relief standing on the rocks gazes at the clouds and sun pleasure and physical comfort. Without the standard arch-
in the sky, echoing the design of the rank badge with qilin shaped apron between the legs, it is unconventionally set on
(buzi). These badges were used by dukes, marquises, counts, a humpbacked stretcher supported by short vertical struts.
consort princes, or first military rank officials of the Qing court. Using the common construction of small and medium-sized
Therefore, the pattern hints at the prominent status of the seating, this grand armchair has a unique sense of lightness
folding chair’s original owner. The openwork ruyi pattern on the and exquisiteness. Another huanghuali “four-corners-exposed

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