清十七世紀 黃花梨圈椅成對

each constructed with a horseshoe-shaped arm resting on two back stiles, centred with a back splat carved with a ruyi motif, flanked by cusped upper edges, the arms supported on each side with an elongated S-shaped brace and a post, each post decorated with a shaped spandrel, the seat with a cane surface enclosed by a frame gently curving inward and ending in a narrow flat band, above a beaded-edged cusped spandrelled apron carved with scrolling tendrils, the sides and back with plain straight aprons, all above stretchers joining the side and back legs near the feet and a shaped footrest at the front atop a plain straight apron

樂成行，香港，1987年

The caned seats and their frames have been replaced, but otherwise all parts are original. There are also humidity-induced cracks around the feet and minor surface dents.
"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."

此類圈椅線條簡約，扶手彎弧，流麗秀美，雅致勻稱，洋溢現代氣息。圈椅常見於明清木刻版畫，輪廓典雅，多成對或四件成套，用於餐膳、繪畫或款客。圈椅兩側若加長桿，可作明轎，為達官貴人之用。柯律格敘述，此類明轎展示坐者權威，乃上賓之椅，見《Chinese Furniture》，倫敦，1988年，頁24。

圈椅，初以竹造， 竹子柔韌，易製弧形椅圈，優雅輕盈，卻穩固實用，廣受青睞。其後木匠以巧工妙思改用硬木製椅，然工精繁複，不容有絲毫失誤。以弧形圓材攢接椅圈，兩接圓材以楔釘榫結合，連接緊密，上漆後連接處隱約，椅圈扶手一順而下，始成如此雅致圈椅。

此類圈椅多光素無紋，或如本品可見，靠背板及牙子浮雕紋飾。安思遠曾談及此類圈椅圖案，相信為晚明、清康熙時期創新紋飾，見《Chinese Furniture. Hardwood Examples of the Ming and Ch’ing Dynasties》，紐約，1971年，頁86。他觀察此類圈椅之壺門券口牙子，與唐代案桌上所見相似，參考奈良東大寺正倉院藏唐例，載於 Sarah Handler，《Austere Luminosity of Chinese Classical Furniture》，柏克萊，2001年，圖版12.6。

參考兩對售於紐約蘇富比之近例，分別見於1987年4月25日，編號567及1987年10月9/10日，編號440。紐約佳士得另見數例：安思遠舊藏一椅，見於其著作，前述出處，圖版18，售於2015年3月18日，編號139，另有一對，售於2013年3月21日，編號927。明尼阿波利斯藝術學院且藏一對，尺才略大，載於 Robert D. Jacobson 及 Nicholas Grindley，《Classic Chinese Furniture》，明尼阿波利斯，1999年，圖版12。