Pair of Chinese Low Back Official's Chairs, C. 1850

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 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...

Unusual for its small scale, this 19th-century tall back chair is a diminutive update on the classic yoke-back armchair popular since the Song dynasty. The traditional seat is also r...

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...

A Chinese hand-carved yumu wood 'Official's Chair' from the 19th century, with fretwork and lacquered finish. This Chinese armchair features a rectangular pierced back accented with ...

A pair of Qing Dynasty period official's hat armchairs from the late 19th century, with carved splats, curving structures, scalloped aprons and side stretchers. Born in the last quar...

A stunning pair of 20th century Chinese yoke back armchairs crafted of cypress, baimu. The chairs of typical style and construction, and k...

Pair of Chinese Qing dynasty hardwood elm yoke back armchairs ( officials hat chairs ) in beautifully aged original old surface color patina w/ well figured ...