十七世紀 黃花梨南官帽椅

an elegantly arched crestrail with flattened headrest curving towards the corner posts which bow slightly before passing through the molded seat frame to form the back legs, centered by a very attractively figured S-curved rectangular splat, the gently serpentine armrests continuing to the corner posts, the soft-mat seat above front and side plain mitered aprons, the legs of cylindrical section joined by footrail, side and back stretchers of the same height, the underside with two bowed transverse braces, the wood of a mellow and rich amber color

購於倫敦，約1990年

A series of small filled holes and darker coloration indicate the previous presence of metal mounts to the pipe joints at the top rail and arms as well as around the back posts where each joins the arm. There is a repaired diagonal break across the base of one back leg, two other feet have small filled chips. There are other scattered minor filled repairs. The footrail is missing its apron indicating a very slight reduction in height.
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.

With its exceptional height and elegant sinuous lines, the present armchair represents the most notable form of nanguanmaoyi. Lacking any carved decoration, the plain well-figured timber, most evident in the particularly lively grain of the backsplat, and harmonious proportions convey an impressive sculptural quality. 

The armchair features an unusual detail with all four lower stretchers placed at the same height; a rare characteristic of which there are few examples and which are all of considerable height and devoid of ornate carved elements. A closely related example of this type, slightly taller, is in the Vok Collection and illustrated in Nicholas Grindley, Pure Form, Munich, 2004, cat. no. 10.  Another armchair with level stretchers but with bracketed aprons, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and illustrated in Craig Clunas, Chinese Furniture, London, 1988, pl. 6. Like the present example, the armchair in the Victoria and Albert Museum has small filled holes and discoloration around several joints indicating the earlier presence of reinforcing metal straps. Clunas notes that this group of particularly graceful chairs, "have retained to this century in Chinese culture something of the connotations of status and authority with which their origins were associated" (ibid, p. 22).