19th Century Chinese Provincial Round Back Chair

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 pair of 19th century tall back chairs are diminutive updates on the classic yoke-back armchair popular since the Song dynasty. Also referred to as o...

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...

Dated to the late 19th century, this petite ladies' chair combines the low, square back of traditional rose chairs with the round frame and cabriole legs of waisted display tables. 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 ...

A pair of extra large, sold wood, 19th century Chinese Horseshoe Chairs. The solid, 2" thick, continuous rounded crest rail is composed of thre...

A pair of 19th century Chinese chairs, circa 1825.

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...

A pair of large 19th century Chinese elmwood armchairs. An elegant crestrail meets the back stiles which extend all the way through the member of the seat frame to become the back le...

A Chinese hand-carved yumu wood yoke back armchair from the 19th century, with rattan seat, painted scenes and lacquered finish. Called yoke because the back resembles a yoke for oxe...

A 19th century Chinese horseshoe back armchair. Made from sturdy bamboo with a black lacquered seat and back splat details.