A RARE LARGE HUANGHUALI SPINDLEBACK ARMCHAIR, NANGUANMAOYI 17TH CENTURY

composed of finely grained timber, the generously wide hard seat framed by a straight crestrail above slender spindles, the rear stiles joined to the straight armrest supported by shorter spindles, all above the plain apron joined to a stretcher, the naturally worn surface preserved under a thin coat of varnish

The attactive worn surface of this chair has been preserved beneath a thin layer of polish. There is considerably more wear to the front seat frame with scratches to the surface. The back plank of the three-plank seat is a replacement. The middle panel of the seat has been naturally worn down around where one would usually sit. The seat frame has two areas with 25 cm spliced fills. The underside of the seat frame has one brace (the centre one) possibly replaced. The armrests on both sides also have scratches and wear. On the proper right side, three of the spindles have been burned; with two of the spindles with losses to their form. The old charred areas extend to the underside of the armrest and the top of the right side of the seat frame. The spindles appear to all be original with the exception of one center spindle in the middle of the seat back. The feet have natural wear. The overall condition appears to be very good.
"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."

It is rare to find large spindleback chairs of this proportion.  The meiguiyi low-back style armchair is the more common form for spindleback chairs.  See an example from the Lan Xinmei Collection, illustrated in Splendor of Style: Classical Furniture from the Ming and Qing Dynasty, National Museum of History, Taipei, 1999, p.93. 

The well-worn surface of this chair has been preserved to give it a rustic feel.  While the rigid angular structure and the grand proportions give it an air of formality.  This chair is extraordinary for the superb craftsmanship and elegant design which emphasizes the lightness of the form.  Gustav Ecke illustrates a pair of hongmu spindleback armchairs in Chinese Domestic Furniture, Rutland, VT, 1962, p. 100, pl. 88 and another in hongmu illustrated in Robert H. Ellsworth, Chinese Hardwood Furniture in Hawaiian Collections, Honolulu, 1982, pp. 61.  Also see also a simiar chair in jichimu, in the collection of the owner of the present lot, illustrated in Dr. S.Y. Yip and Grace Wu-Bruce, Feast by a Wine Table Reclining on a Couch, Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007, cat.no. 7.