Date: Ming (AD 1368-1644)
Dimensions: Seat 70 x 46.5 cm, Overall Height 112 cm
Material: Huanghuali wood, cupronickel, strand
Donated by the Chuang family

• Object Type：
  • OTHERS
• Location：
  • Chinese Ming and Qing Furniture Gallery
• Tag：
  • armchair ming huanghuali wood

This piece of work is well-proportioned with fluent lines. It is made of Huanghuali wood, the color of which is neither too plain nor too gaudy, just at the right point at which the grain is visible and is full of dynamic changes. The crest rail of the chair is made up of five sections, connected with mortise-and-tenon joints, holding them together instead of falling to pieces. The backrest and armrest naturally flow down in a round and gentle way. The back splat is made from a frame and three carved panels, with the top carved in interlaced Chi-dragon design; the middle hollowed with a Kylin design, and the bottom is Kunmen Liangjiao meaning an opening that lightens the feet. Kunmen is the carving on a Sumeru pedestal and bed stand or the see-through device at the bottom of a chair back splat, or the foot of a folding screen. The joints are inlaid with cupronickel gadgets to strengthen and decorate. Folding chairs of this kind were regarded as a sign of identity and status and are usually placed in a prominent position in the hall, giving a dominating presence.