A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI CONTINUOUS YOKEBACK ARMCHAIRS (NANGUANMAOYI) MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

each with an elegantly shaped crestrail supported by shaped spandrels, above a bowed, wide splat, with gently curving arms continuing, supported on 'S'-curve supports, to join the recessed frontal stile, with a hard cane seat, the legs framed by straight beaded flange brackets with box stretchers

Ming Furniture Ltd., New York, 1993.

Ming Furniture Ltd., Catalogue, 1989, plate 13.

Both chairs missing metal mounts which has caused some staining on the rail and posts. One chair with repaired breaks to be ends where the crestrail joins the stile, one foot tipped, the front apron replaced and with several of the flange brackets replaced as well as the back stretcher. The other with possible replacements of flange brackets and front apron.
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.

According to Sarah Handler, Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture, Hong Kong, 2001, p. 43, "the Chinese yokeback chair is the stately seat of Buddhists, deities, royalty and important people." This pair of chairs is part of a pantheon of yokeback chairs, and the present pair is no exception.  An interesting feature - the interior flanges below the crestrail - is unusual in that such flanges typically are arranged on the exterior. 

A similar pair of armchairs formerly in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections was sold in these rooms 16th September 2009, lot 20.  Another of this type is illustrated in Robert H. Ellsworth, Chinese Furniture, New York, 1970, pl. 6.  Additionally, a miniature example of the form was excavated in 1960 in Shanghai from the tomb of Pan Yunzheng, dated to circa 1589.