A Pair of 'Huanghuali' Horseshoe-Back Armchairs (Quanyi) Ming Dynasty, 16th / 17th century

the continuous back with scrolling rounded handrests above an S-shaped splat and serpentine arm supports, serpentine flange supports under the handrests, the vertical stiles of circular section, continuing through the rectangular hard cane seat to the legs, arched apron brackets under the seats, the front and side apron brackets with beaded edge, box stretcher, the feet terminating in metal caps, the wood of a warm honey-brown tone, together with a pair of pale orange and green Chinese velvet seat cushions (4)

Private Collection, New York (until 1980).
Christie's New York, 6th November 1980, lot 77.

good visual condition overall with an attractive patina, the seats converted from soft cane to hard cane, transverse stretchers probably replaced, one chair with repaired break to one segment of crestrail, a few minor cracks to curved handrests, old repairs to two cane moldings; the second chair with filled 4 inch natural crack to splat, repaired vertical break to one rear support, cracks to one cane molding, 1 inch shallow ding to edge of one side of seat, minor damage to end of one box stretcher, several aprons brackets and stretcher aprons may be of a later date, legs may be extended under the metal caps
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Compare a chair of similar form in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, illustrated in Chinese Furniture, Selected Articles from Orientations, 1984-1994, Hong Kong, 1996, fig. 9, p. 22.  Compare also a very similar chair illustrated by Gustav Ecke in Chinese Domestic Furniture, Tokyo, 1962, no. 86, p. 106; and one of a pair illustrated in Robert Hatfield Ellsworth et al, Chinese Furniture, One Hundred Examples from the Mimi and Raymond Hung Collection, New York, 1996, no. 18, pp. 76-77.  A very similar pair of chairs, attributed to the 17th century, was sold at Christie's New York, 21st March 2000, lot 10. Another pair, with bracket edges to the splats, attributed to the 18th century, was sold at Christie's London, 15th May 2007, lot 19.