Page 110 - Bonhams Cornette Saint Cyr, Property from the estate of Jean-Pierre Rousset (1936-2021)

51 Y
RARE PAIRE DE FAUTEUILS EN HUANGHUALI,
NANGUANMAOYI
XVIIe/XVIIIe siècle
A RARE PAIR OF HUANGHUALI ‘SOUTHERN OFFICIAL HAT’
ARMCHAIRS, NANGUANMAOYI
17th/18th century
Each armchair generously proportioned with a well-figured rectangular
S-shaped backsplat centred with a reticulated panel enclosing two
entwined flowers, flanked by curved corner posts which extend
through the rectangular seat frame enclosing a hard mat seat, the
outcurved arms supported by tapering side posts and recessed front
posts joined by a plain apron, the feet joined by the footrest.
104cm (41in) high x 56cm (22in) wide x 43.5cm (17 1/8in) deep. (2).

€50,000 - 80,000
Provenance:
Jean-Pierre Rousset, Paris (1936-2021), acquired in the 1980’s

Displaying restrained lines and generous yet balanced statuesque Discussing the origin of this form, Robert Jacobsen and Nicholas
proportions and enhanced by the rich lustre of the huanghuali honey- Grindley refer to bent bamboo construction, popular in the Song
tone wood, the present pair of armchairs embodies the search for and Ming dynasties, as a possible inspiration for the continuous
simplicity through the beauty and elegance of form, quintessential top and arm rails which is a principal feature of ‘Southern official’s
embodiments of the Ming and early Qing dynasty timeless aesthetic. hat’ armchairs. An illustration from the ‘Legend of the Jade Hairpin’
The master carver allowed only one adornment - the openwork Yuzan Ji, dated circa 1570, depicts a pair of speckled-bamboo tall-
cartouche at the back of each of the backsplats displaying an back chairs with continuous crestrails; and see also a pair of related
intertwined blossom converging to form the shape of a lingzhi fungus, huanghuali ‘Southern official’s hat’ armchairs, early 17th century, of
symbolic of long life. similar proportions as the present lot, illustrated by R.Jacobsen and
N.Grindley, Classical Chinese Furniture in the Minneapolis Institute of
The ‘Southern official’s hat’ armchair is one of the most prestigious Arts, Minneapolis, 1999, pp.52-53.
forms of Chinese furniture. Whereas many armchairs of this form
feature thick members and rigid lines, the present pair, displaying An extremely fine and rare huanghuali low back continuous yokeback
slender and elegant curves, has a most refined aesthetic, and armchair, nanguanmaoyi, 17th century, was sold at Bonhams London,
represents among the most graceful examples of this design. 13 May 2021, lot 24. See also a related pair of huanghuali official’s
The entirely uncarved surfaces, accentuated by the elegant beading hat armchairs, guanmaoyi, 17th/18th century, from the collection of
focuses the beholder on the beauty in form and material. Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, which was sold at Christie’s New York,
18 March 2015, lot 106.
This particular design of nanguanmaoyi chairs differs from the ‘official’s
hat’ armchair guanmaoyi in that the crestrails continue into the back
posts, as opposed to extending horizontally beyond them. In addition,
creating the continuous line of the crestrail joining into the rear upright
posts is achieved by a rounded, right-angle joint called a ‘pipe-joint,’
which is also used to join the curved arms to the front posts.

108 | BONHAMS