- 477
A RARE BAIMU FOLDING SCHOLAR'S CHAIR (JIAOYI) QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description
- wood
- Height: 42 1/4 inches
of slender elegant proportions, with a shaped top rail surmounting an S-shaped splat deftly carved in three panels, the center with a water buffalo amidst waves and flanked by crabs gazing upward to a spotted deer standing beneath towering pine trees among playful monkey ringing beribboned bells as a crane with outspread wings ascends carrying a peach bough in its beak, the upper panel with scholarly auspicious emblems and the lower section a confronting lion and bird, the reverse side with openwork prunus blossoms against a swastika ground, the splat framed by two curved supports to the X-frame raised atop block feet with the folding foot rest carved at the front with a bat flanked by foliate scrolls
Provenance
Charlotte Horstmann & Gerald Godfrey Ltd., Hong Kong, 1983.
Condition
The chair is in overall good condition with a single split travelling down the back of one leg.
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
The fine carving on the chair is replete with symbols for success in passing the civil service examinations; the crab's shell acts like armor (jia) which also means first as in top place in the palace examinations. the deer, cypress tree, bird and monkey convey the wish to attain high rank and the bell 'to hit the mark'.
Given the auspicious subject matter, it is likely that this impressive, light weight chair would have been carried by a servant accompanying a scholar on his way to the palace to take the rigorous imperial exams.
Given the auspicious subject matter, it is likely that this impressive, light weight chair would have been carried by a servant accompanying a scholar on his way to the palace to take the rigorous imperial exams.