晚明 黃花梨大素圈椅成對

扶手以楔釘榫五接，兩端出頭回轉收尾。圈形彎弧扶手下方與椅盤後大邊打槽嵌裝素面三彎靠背板。後腿上截與鵝脖出榫納入圈形彎弧扶手，下穿過椅盤成為腿足。扶手與鵝脖間打槽嵌入小角牙。扶手左右支以三彎形上細下大的圓材聯幫棍。椅盤格角攢邊，抹頭見透榫，下有二根彎帶支承。邊抹冰盤沿微起混面至底壓窄平線。椅盤四框內緣踩邊打眼造軟屜，現用舊蓆是更替品。座面下沿邊起線的窪堂肚券口牙子，上端齊頭碰椅盤下，兩側嵌入腿足的槽口，底端出榫納入踏腳棖。左右兩側裝類似牙條，後方則為短素牙條。前腿間下施一踏腳棖，左右兩邊及後方安方材混面步步高趕棖，全出透榫。踏腳棖及左右兩側管腳棖下各安一素牙子。

嘉木堂，倫敦
L B MacBain 收藏，倫敦

倫敦，2001年，【嘉木堂】展覽於格羅夫諾公館古董藝術博覽會(Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair)
馬斯特里赫特，2008年，【嘉木堂】展覽於歐洲藝術古董博覽會(The European Fine Art Fair)

嘉木堂，《荷蘭馬城展覽》，香港，2008年，編號5
高虹，〈初識明清家具之美〉，《文物天地》，北京，2008年，第5期，頁97

Chair 1: There are repairs to the upper rail, one at the top, as visible in the catalogue photo, and one on the underside of the left elbow. The small circular hole for the original pin is visible to the reverse of the upper rail. There is consolidation to the tips of the legs, especially the reverse right leg, where an approx. 5.5 cm section has been made up. There is general surface wear and bruising throughout. Chair 2: The top rail has been refixed, this is especially visible at the back rail for support. There is also an area of repair around the right elbow. The small circular hole for the original pin is visible to the reverse of the upper rail. There is also general bruising and surface wear in keeping with its age. As typical of Ming furniture, the matting has been periodically replaced.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

此對黃花梨圈椅全身光素，線條簡約流暢，堪稱為明代家具簡練、純粹的代表作。而其體型與同類圈椅比較特高特大，氣度非凡。明代各種椅具有等級之分，大型椅子被視為較重要之座席，為府中主人與身份地位較高的賓客專用。

圈椅是明朝家具三種主要椅型之一，惟獨中國家具有圈形彎弧扶手設計，二十世紀家具設計師從這種設計中得到啓發，創作出各種現代椅具例子，為人所知。

英國國立維多利亞與艾爾伯特博物館藏的一具非常相似但較細的例子，收錄於 Craig Clunas，《Chinese Furniture, Victoria and Albert Museum Far Eastern Series》，倫敦，1988年； 柯律格〈英國國立維多利亞與艾爾伯特博物館．東亞系列．中國家具〉倫敦，1988年，頁25。