A PAIR OF HUANGHUALI BAMBOO-STYLE CONTINUOUS HORSESHOE-BACK ARMCHAIRS (QUANYI) QING DYNASTY, 19TH / 20TH CENTURY

each naturalistically carved in imitation of bamboo with cylindrical elements notched at regular intervals, the curving crestrail of five sections joined by overlapping pressure-pegged scarf joins, the straight posts mortised and tenoned into the arm and extending through the seat frame as legs, the openwork splat formed with vertical and horizontal struts enclosed by two upright posts, the arms supported on each side with an elongated round S-shaped brace, the soft mat seat frame of miter, mortise and tenon construction supported with one transverse bowed stretcher underneath, the double-cushioned molded frame over wrap-around hump-back-shaped stretchers with vertical struts joining the legs below the seat frame, above stretchers  joining the side and back legs near the feet, atop slender apron with openwork shaped spandrels (2)

Both armchairs are in overhall good condition and with filled repairs to splitting and to tighten the joinery. There are possible replacements of parts of the openwork aprons.
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.

An identical armchair in the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Hawaii and illustrated is Lark E. Mason, Jr. 'Examples of Ming Furniture in American Collections Formed Prior to 1980', Orientations, January 1992, fig. 13, where it is mentioned that the chair was acquired from Robert H. Ellsworth in the 1970s. The same armchair was exhibited in Chinese Hardwood Furniture in Hawaiian Collections, Honolulu Academy of Arts, 1982, cat. no. 37.