A pair of huanghuali continuous yoke-back armchairs, nan guanmaoyi, Early Qing dynasty, 17th – 18th century | 清⼗七至⼗⼋世紀　⿈花梨南官帽椅⼀對

American private collection, acquired in China (1932–1937), later inherited within the family.

This pair of armchairs, southern guanmaoyi, is of typical dimensions, crafted entirely from round-section huanghuali wood. They embody the classic Ming-style paradigm, elegant and rounded, while displaying the craftsmanship characteristics of the Qing dynasty. The overall design emphasizes curves: the crest rail, armrests, and supporting spindles flow in graceful arcs full of tension. The back splat is made from a single plank, with a triple-curve profile that naturally conforms to the curvature of the human spine. The crest rail bends backward, aligning with modern ergonomic angles for rest, while the armrests also follow a gentle triple curve, providing comfortable support.

Sothern Guanmaoyi is one of the most representative and classic forms of Ming-style furniture. It is renowned for its restrained ‘four corners not protruding’ design, and takes its name from its resemblance to the soft caps worn by ancient officials. Compared with the robust presence of the ‘four protruding corners’ official’s hat armchair, the Southern guanmaoyi appears more gentle and refined, often placed in scholars’ studies, and thus elegantly referred to as the ‘literati’s chair.’ With its understated form, ergonomic comfort, and the warm, graceful grain of huanghuali wood, the Southern Official’s Hat Armchair (nan guanmaoyi) embodies both the wisdom of ancient Chinese craftsmen and the aesthetic sensibilities of the literati.

來源

美國私⼈收藏，1932 年⾄ 1937 年間於中國 ⼊藏，後在家族內傳承

此對南官帽椅典型尺寸，通體以黃花梨圓材製作，承明式經典範式，優雅圓潤，展現了清朝工藝特點。線條以曲線為主，搭腦、扶手、聯幫棍的弧線婉轉流暢，充滿張力。靠背板為獨板，三彎曲線，與人體脊椎自然弧度貼合。搭腦向後彎曲，符合現代人體工程學的休息角度，扶手亦呈舒緩的三彎曲線，提供舒適的倚靠。

南官帽椅是明式傢具中極具代表性的經典器型。以其內斂的「四不出頭」設計而聞名，因造型似古代官員的便帽而得名。相較於四出頭官帽椅的雄健，南官帽椅更顯溫婉儒雅，常置於文人書房，故又雅稱「文椅」。南官帽椅憑著含蓄不出頭的造型、科學舒適的結構、溫潤雅致的木紋，共同訴說著中國古代工匠的智慧與文人雅士的審美情趣。