Huanghuali Folding Horseshoe‑Back Armchair (Jiao Yi),Ming‑Style,17th‑Century Tradition

拍品描述

Dimensions:Height 102 cm (40.16 in),Width 68.5 cm (26.97 in)Condition & Provenance:The chair retains complete structural integrity, all folding joints function smoothly.Original heavy brass reinforcing straps and rivets remain intact on hoop‑arm, leg joints and footrest assembly, displaying natural age‑related patina and wear signs.The backrest is finely open‑carved with qilin and auspicious cloud motifs, the wood surface preserves rich natural grain with mellow old patina; seat is composed of multiple parallel slats.The carved footrest is in original condition, no cracks, no major repairs, no modern refinishing.This Ming‑style huanghuali folding chair originates from a prominent old‑world private Asian furniture collection in Los Angeles,California,USA.It was acquired in 2001 from a leading New York gallery specializing in classical Chinese hardwood furniture.The piece was kept in climate‑controlled private display, seldom moved.Now offered for public sale as part of family estate liquidation.Description:This is a classical huanghuali folding armchair, also known as Jiao Yi, one of the most prestigious forms of Chinese Ming furniture.The iconic continuous horseshoe‑shaped hoop arm curves smoothly from top of backrest down to arm terminals, offering full surrounding support for sitter’s upper body.The vertical back splat is divided into sections: upper panel relief‑carved with dragon‑scroll emblem, central panel elaborate open‑work carving of qilin amid swirling clouds, lower section with stylized ruyi‑scroll apron.The seat is built with parallel flexible slats, designed for comfort during folding use.Crossed X‑form folding legs are heavily reinforced by riveted brass strap fittings at every stress joint.A decorative carved brass‑mounted footrest is fitted at front, with shaped scalloped aprons beneath.Throughout the chair, hardware serves both structural reinforcement and ornamental purpose.Huanghuali folding chairs were elite portable furnishings for ancient nobility, used for outdoor gatherings, hunting and travel.Only high‑status households could own such fine hardwood examples.This chair exhibits balanced proportions, masterful joinery, exquisite traditional carving and rich natural wood grain.It fully embodies the restrained, sophisticated aesthetic of Ming‑dynasty classical furniture, highly sought‑after by global oriental furniture collectors.

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