Paire de fauteuils en huanghuali, sichutou guanmaoyi XVIIE siècle

la traverse supérieure busquée aux saillies arrondies jointe à un dossier lisse rectangulaire galbé, les accotoirs courbés soutenus par des montants frontaux en col de cygne, les quatre pieds tubulaires liés entre eux par des traverses décalées, l'assise renforcée par une traverse soutenue par un élégant tablier à cuspide et des pendants de tablier en dos d'âne, le bois enrichi d'une belle patine d'âge brillante (2)

With Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, New York.
Acquired from Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, New York, 6th March 1980.

There are losses with associated cracks, and cracks to the black of the aprons and spandrels and the underside of the seat frames on both chairs. On both chairs the spandrels and aprons have been reinforced with wax or glue. There are cracks and parts of the wood broken off and missing on the lower parts and rims of the feet on both chairs but particularly on one chair where the feet have been slightly reduced (ca. 0.5cm). One one chair the wings supporting both armrests are smaller than on the other chair and may be of later date. There are parts on both chairs where the wooden elements join have been filled in and reinforced with wax. The rounded end on one yoke shows a round crack that was laid down and smoothened. The seats on both chairs are of later date. The back splashes on both chairs may be made of a wood other than huanghuali.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The elegantly scrolling crestrails terminating in beautifully modelled rounded ends on this pair of armchairs illustrate why chairs of this type are called guanmaoyi or 'official hat-shaped chairs', the name derived from their resemblance to the winged hat that was part of the formal attire of Ming officials.  In the hierarchy of seating arrangements, they retained a connotation of status and authority and were generally positioned as a seat of high status. Analysing 17th century woodblock prints, Craig Clunas in Chinese Furniture, London, 1988, p. 20. notes that they often occupied a prominent position within the central hall of a large compound, an important space reserved for receiving and entertaining visitors.

Though sumptuory regulations regulated much of Chinese society, the late Ming period saw the rise of a prosperous merchant class that was able to gain access or purchase official rank through their wealth. Such was the fashion among the wealthy yet uneducated merchant class to furnish their large homes with precious hardwood furniture that publications on connoisseurship such as the early 17th century Treatise on Superfluous Things, Zhangwu zhi, by Wen Zhengheng devoted a whole section to furniture and another chapter to its correct placing, see Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 146, no. 120.

One of the most popular types of armchairs, many examples of yokeback armchairs have survived in public and private collections. Compare, for example a similar pair from the Kai-Yin Lo Collection, illustrated in Wang Shixiang, Classical and Vernacular Furniture in the Living Environment, Hong Kong, 1998, p. 114, no. 9.