十七世紀 黃花梨四出頭官帽椅一對

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)

Robert Hatfield Ellsworth，紐約
1980年3月6日得自Robert Hatfield Ellsworth，紐約

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."

官帽椅，因造型近似明代官員制帽得名。本品線條流麗，搭腦左右稍微上揚，兩端打磨圓潤。古時座椅擺位造型，皆按地位輩份依次安排，官帽椅多象徵身份權位。Craig Clunas研究中國十七世紀木刻版畫，引述官帽椅多置於大宅宴客主廳內之要位，詳見Craig Clunas，《Chinese Furniture》，倫敦，1988年，頁20。

明朝對奢侈品之使用管制嚴格，唯時至晚明，商賈階層崛起，多有因財而得勢，或買官以顯貴者。如此富商雖非文士，唯喜愛購置珍貴木材家具，明代文震亨著鑑賞文集《長物志》，以整篇詳論家具，更有全卷論述擺放位置，見Hugh Moss，《文玩萃珍》，香港，1986年，頁146，編號120。

官帽椅歷來深受珍重，現存佳例多件，出自博物館及私人收藏。比較成對作例，出自羅啟妍典藏，圖錄於王世襄，《中國古典家具與生活環境》，香港，1998年，頁114，編號9。