Provincial Chinese Roundback Chair, c. 1850

Prior to the 10th century, Chinese society eschewed raised seats in favour of mats. The rising popularity of chairs and other forms of elevated seating led craftsmen to adapt traditional cabinetry and architecture techniques to the human body. In the case of this Yuanyi, or round chair, the flowing crest rail is a direct descendant of the simple armrests that had traditionally supported individuals on mats in their homes. This homage to an ancestral form, combined with traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery techniques, created an elegant, functional chair that has endured for centuries and inspired many contemporary furniture designers...

Prior to the 10th century, Chinese society eschewed raised seats in favor of mats. The rising popularity of chairs and other forms of elevated seating led craftsmen to adapt traditio...

Prior to the 10th century, Chinese society eschewed raised seats in favor of mats. The rising popularity of chairs and other forms of elevated seating led craftsmen to adapt traditio...

Prior to the 10th century, Chinese society eschewed raised seats in favor of mats. The rising popularity of chairs and other forms of elevated seating led craftsmen to adapt traditio...

Chinese Huanghuali (Rosewood) Spindle Back Chair, Meiguiyi, 18th/19th Century A fine 19th century Chinese huali (rosewood) chair with spindle backsplat, woven cane seat, and wood ca...

A Chinese Hongmu corner chair, 19th century. The horseshoe-form back with molded crest above a pair of open carved splats with fruiting and fl...

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A fine 19th century Chinese huali (rosewood) Southern Administrator's armchair with gently curved crestrail and arms, four-spindle backsplat, brass fittings, woven cane seat, and tra...