TWO HUANGHUALI LOW-BACK ARMCHAIRS (MEIGUIYI) QING DYNASTY, 17TH / 18TH CENTURY

each with a straight crestrail continuing through the rounded corners to the back posts, the straight, open back framed on three sides by an inset scrolled and beaded molding, repeated on the straight arms  continuing down to form the front posts, the soft mat seat with a wide frame and a gallery rail at the back and sides formed of horizontal members and vertical struts, the legs joined by the beaded apron well-carved with interlocking foliate scrolls continuing to long flanged spandrels, the stepped stretchers with narrow plain aprons on the front and sides (2)

Christie's New York, 3rd June 1993, lot 98.

One chair with the seat and armrest slightly higher than the other and with rlater added flange brackets and aprons and one arm with a repaired break at join with front stile. The other with repaired breaks to both arms at the join where the armrest meets the front stile. and front and side aprons below the stretchers possiby replaced. Both with minor fills and patches and chips and wear to the feet.
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.

This smaller, more casual and usually more ornately decorated form of chair first gained popularity during the Ming dynasty.  Being smaller, it was lighter and more portable, and the delicacy of the mostly floral carving seems to have influenced its identification as a 'rose chair' (meiguiyi). It is also referred to as a writing chair but neither of these terms are used before the 20th century.  For a fuller discussion of the form and its Song dynasty origins read Wang Shixiang, 'Development of Furniture Design and Construction from the Song to the Ming,' Chinese Furniture: Selected Articles from Orientations, 1984-1999, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 44.

An important set of four meiguiyi were sold in these rooms, 14th September 2011, lot 165.