Chinese Provincial Round Back Chair, c. 1850

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 traditional cabinetry and architecture techniques to the human body. In the case of this Yuanyi, or round chair, the flowing crestrail 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...

These 19th century cypress chairs with gently curved crest rails and undulating aprons were created by the age-old process of soaking, bending, and heating the wood to form it into t...

This pair of elegant 19th-century elm wood chairs embody Ming-dynasty design with simple form yet complex construction. The chairs are an unusual blend of traditional tall yoke-back ...

With clean lines and balanced proportions, these 19th-century tall back chairs exemplify the refined forms of Ming-dynasty furniture design. The chairs are designed after the 'southe...

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 traditional cabinetry and architecture techniques to the human body. In the case of this Yuanyi, or round chair, the flowing crestrail 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...

With its strong lines and upright stature, this imposing piece of furniture was the chair of choice for a 19th-century administrator in northern China. Made of northern elmwood, the ...

An unusually beautiful pair of antique Chinese horseshoe back chairs with striking lacquer finish. These gracefully shaped chairs will add...

Dramatic pair of Chinese yoke back official's hat chairs featuring a Shuangxi emblem on the backsplat. These carved chairs have a lacquer finish with...

A small vintage elmwood Chinese horseshoe back chair from the mid 20th century, with side stretchers. Created in China during the midcentu...

A Qing dynasty (1644–1912) Chinese ox blood red lacquered parcel gilt carved Hongmu wood wedding chair. Unusual form featuring a concealed storage drawe...

A pair of Chinese solid elmwood horseshoe folding chairs. Each chair constructed with a rounded metal mounted crestrail ending in outswept handrests. The back splat carved with qilin...

A Chinese rosewood chair from the 19th century, with hand carved splat and arms. Born in China during the 19th century, this exquisite rosewood chair grabs our attention with its stunning back, adorned with scrolling patterns and a central splat, accented with low-relief motifs surrounded by pierced foliage. Two open arms, decorated with carved motifs, flank the sides and rest on a rectangular wooden seat. The chair is raised on four straight legs, connected to one another through side stretchers and accented with petite scrolls on the apron, echoing the feet's scrolling extremities. With its lovely patina and exquisite carved décor, this Chinese 19th century rosewood chair...