清十九世紀 剔紅山水花鳥紋南官帽椅一對

each with the square sectioned crestrail gently arched, flattened at the center headrest and carved with a large lotus bloom issuing tendrils, the bowed corner posts centered by a wide S-shaped rectangular splat, the upper section of one decorated with a panel of a pair of ducks paddling among lotus, the other with a pair of song birds perched on a bough, surmounting a quiet scene depicting a scholar and attendant, on one journeying through a mountainous landscape, on the other seated in a garden, all above a small inset shaped panel, the sinuous arms each with a single phoenix supported by curved stiles, the seat with an intricate brocade pattern, all supported on four square-sectioned legs carved with shou characters flanking double ruyi-head reserves and joined by four stepped stretchers, the front rail further strengthened with an arched stretcher beneath, the back and undersides finished in black lacquer (2)

Alice Boney，香港

As expected with lacquer, the chairs have chips and wear to the lacquer surface, particularly along edges and around the legs and feet. There has been extensive re-lacquering and overpaint restoration to areas of loss and consolidation of both the lacquer and joinery overall. It is likely that there may have been some restored breaks -this appears to be particularly evident to the feet and lower legs. There may also have been some replacements to stretcher aprons and the small aprons at the bottom of the splats.
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.

A nearly identical pair of chairs sold at Christie's New York, 26th March 2003, lot 136. The resemblance is sufficiently close to surmise that they may well be from the same set. The fine carving and use of an intricate brocade pattern has precedent, in that whilst there are no published examples of similar chairs, there is a Qianlong period rectangular table with a wan character brocade top from the Qing court collection illustrated by Hu Desheng, A Treasury of Ming and Qing Dynasty Palace Furniture,vol. 1, Beijing, 2007, p. 213.