Lot Essay
There appear to be only three known examples of this specific design of armchair. The present pair represents two of the three known examples. The third example was sold at Christie's New York, 20-21 March 2014, lot 2290.
The present pair is a very rare variation on the more commonly seen rose chair. Unlike the standard rose chair (meiguiyi) which has straight top rails and arms, the present pair features high, curved top rails and elegantly S-curved arms, and stretchers of conforming shape. These design elements are more commonly found on the more grand 'Official's hat' armchairs (guanmaoyi). Another rare feature of the present pair are the finely carved openwork, slightly curved panels joining the vertical rear posts. Intricately carved with confronting chilong amidst leafy lingzhi stems, the panels beautifully complement the openwork struts carved with an animated chilong.
The present pair is a very rare variation on the more commonly seen rose chair. Unlike the standard rose chair (meiguiyi) which has straight top rails and arms, the present pair features high, curved top rails and elegantly S-curved arms, and stretchers of conforming shape. These design elements are more commonly found on the more grand 'Official's hat' armchairs (guanmaoyi). Another rare feature of the present pair are the finely carved openwork, slightly curved panels joining the vertical rear posts. Intricately carved with confronting chilong amidst leafy lingzhi stems, the panels beautifully complement the openwork struts carved with an animated chilong.