Back
Asian Arts
|
- Sale 5411
Live
| Philadelphia
Apr 9 | 10:00 AM EDT
Live
| Philadelphia
Sale 5411
| Philadelphia
| Philadelphia
Estimate$30,000 – $50,000
With boldly-carved crest rail over a bowed splat carved in low relief with a stylized lotus cartouche, tapered stiles, with serpentine arms and supports, over a later paneled seat, the arched spandrels under the seat with beaded edge, the front with entwined scrollwork, the legs joined by a box stretcher, the wood of a pleasing warm reddish-brown
H: 41 3/4 in.; W: 24 1/4 in; D: 18 1/2 in.There were three main types of Chinese armchairs produced during the classic period of Ming to Qing dynasty furniture production: armchairs with extending crest-rail and arms, known as “Official’s Hat Chair”, or “Sichutouguanmaoyi”; the horseshoe-back armchair, Quanyi; and one of the most popular forms, the continuous yoke-back armchair, also known as “Southern Official’s Hat Armchair”, Nanguanmaoyi.
For other examples of this third type, related to the present pair of chairs, see a chair with more elongated proportions, illustrated by Wang Shixiang et al, "Connoisseurship of Chinese Furniture, Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, Vol. II, Hong Kong, 1990, p. 47, no A76. See also the pair of chairs with shaped skirt spandrels, dated to the early 17th century, illustrated in "Classical Chinese Furniture in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts", Minneapolis, 1999, pp. 52-53, no. 9; and also a chair of more compact proportions in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, illustrated in Craig Clunas, "Chinese Furniture", London, 1997, p. 21, no. 6.
For a pair of armchairs with carved splats and apron, see the pair sold at Sotheby's, New York, March 16, 2016, lot 280. Compare also the pairs of chairs, without carved splats and aprons, sold at Christie's, New York, March 18, 2016, lot 1307, and the pair sold in those rooms September 13, 2019, lot 874.
Acquired by the grandmother of the present owner in China, between 1932 and 1937
Thence by descent, Property from an American private collection
In 1932, the grandmother of the present owner and her daughter embarked on an ocean liner cruise from America to the far east. During the voyage, they met a young bank executive travelling to Shanghai to take up his position at a major American bank in the cosmopolitan center. This young man and the present owner’s mother soon fell in love, and after reaching their destination, they married and started their life together in Shanghai. On the birth of the young couple’s first child, the present owner’s grandmother returned to China from America to assist the young family. While in China, she acquired many pieces of traditional Chinese furniture, including this elegant pair of huanghuali armchairs. On the eve of the second Japanese invasion of China in 1937, the family returned to the United States, bringing with them the pieces which had been so lovingly collected in China, carefully preserving them to the present day.
來源：
現藏家祖母於1932至1937年間得於中國
1932年，現藏家祖母及其千金遠渡重洋從美國進發遠東。旅途之中，她們邂逅了一位赴上海升任區域美國大銀行總管的青年才俊。現任藏家家母與其一見鐘情，定居滬上遂喜結連理。第一個孩子誕生後，現藏家祖母重返中國照顧女兒一家。也在當時大宗購入囊括是對黃花梨南官帽椅在內的中式傳統家具。1937年日本侵華前夕，藏家祖母舉家返美，亦帶回心愛的家具藏品，厚藏至今。
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have
Seats later; repaired breaks and associated fill at junctures of crest rails and vertical styles and splats; old glue repairs with attendant fill; scattered scuffing and surface scratches; glide holes to undersides of feet; feet bleached a lighter color, some sunfading. One chair with repairs to juncture of arms and front arm supports, and where arms meet stiles; repaired chip to one front corner of seat; a few stray specks of house paint; two elements of spandrels with repairs and losses at corners under the seat; small repair to one front foot under footrest. Other chair with crack to one back corner of seat panel; underside with filed stringing holes to outer seat supports; loss to one end of upper spandrel to one side; a few scattered glue block supports added to spandrel panels.
https://asian.smugmug.com/Freemans-Asian-Art-1803
NOTE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Freeman's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Freeman's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Freeman's. For that reason, Freeman's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
