Artmink

Pair of Chinese Ming Period Huanghuali Horseshoe-Back Armchairs

一对中国明代黄花梨圈椅

By: Unknown (traditional Ming workshop)

Style: Ming Dynasty Furniture / 明代家具

Origin: China

Materials: Huanghuali wood (Dalbergia odorifera), woven cane seat

Age: circa 16th–17th century (late Ming dynasty, 1500–1644)

Condition: Excellent (minor surface wear, age-appropriate patina, no major restorations noted)

Value: $100,000 – $200,000 (for the pair, at auction, if authentic and in good condition)

Maker's Marks / Writing: Stylized longevity (壽, shou) symbol carved on the central splat of each chair. No other marks or signatures observed.

Date: 2025-06-18 21:43:38.180866

Description:

This is a pair of iconic Chinese horseshoe-back armchairs, often referred to as 'quanyi' (圈椅), crafted from huanghuali wood. The chairs feature a continuous rounded crest rail that forms the arms, a curved splat elaborately carved with a stylized longevity symbol, a rectangular hard mat seat, and ornate apron and stretcher details. The joinery, craftsmanship, and material reflect furniture traditions of the Ming dynasty, celebrated for their elegant simplicity and structural integrity.     这是一对中国经典的圈椅，用上等黄花梨木制成。椅背呈优雅的圆弧圈形衔接扶手，靠背板上精雕有象征长寿的纹饰，座面为硬屉面。下方券口牙板和横枨带有简练的装饰纹样，榫卯结构严谨。整体体现了明代家具工艺的高超水平，线条流畅、结构美观，是中国古典家具中的代表性器型。

Curator Questions

Curated by Jade

Assessment:

This pair of horseshoe-back armchairs are exemplary works of Ming period furniture, exhibiting classic proportions, refined craftsmanship, and the desirable huanghuali wood. The wood grain and construction are consistent with traditional Ming woodworking methods. The pieces exhibit appropriate age, minor surface wear, and patina expected from genuine antiques of this era. The intricate joinery and elegant design make these chairs highly sought-after in the international art market.     这对圈椅充分展现了明代家具的经典美学和高超工艺，黄花梨木纹理优美，构造合乎明代传统。椅面、靠背、榫卯均显示年代感和自然包浆，少量表面磨损属正常古物范畴。整体保存良好，是国际艺术市场极为珍稀和受追捧的顶级中国古典家具。

Individual Images:

• The additional images provide valuable views of the joinery
• underside construction
• cane seat
• crest rail
• and close-up details of wood grain and hand-carved scrolled arms. The image of the underside reveals appropriate wear patterns
• old wood
• and traditional joinery consistent with Ming-era methods. The wood grain and tool marks are also consistent with hand craftsmanship rather than machine work. The detail of the armrest shows natural smooth wear and a tight
• pegged joint typical of period construction. No obvious restoration
• repairs
• or signs of recent manufacture are noted.

Provenance:

No provenance documentation provided.

Condition:

Excellent (minor surface wear, age-appropriate patina, no major restorations noted)

Identification Score: 98%

The form, material, construction, and decorative motifs strongly identify these as Ming dynasty huanghuali horseshoe-back armchairs; the details closely match canonical examples in major collections.     无论从造型、材质还是做工和装饰来看，这对椅子都与明代黄花梨圈椅的经典范例高度吻合，极具标志性特征，识别度极高。

Authenticity Score: 86%

The patina, craftsmanship, and tool marks suggest authentic Ming dynasty origin, though without hands-on inspection or provenance documentation, a conservative score is warranted. The underside joinery, evidence of age, and overall form are consistent with period pieces, but careful authentication is still recommended due to the prevalence of high-quality reproductions.     椅子的包浆、工艺及局部手工痕迹与明代原作的特征一致，底部结构和使用痕迹亦符合古代家具的风格。尽管有这些正面因素，由于市场上高仿品较多，未见配套权威来源资料时仍需谨慎给出保守分数，建议做进一步鉴定。

Image Memory Note

Pair of Chinese horseshoe-back armchairs, huanghuali wood, rounded continuous crest rail forming arm rests, curved rectangular hard seats with cane inlay, shaped splat with carved longevity (shou, 壽) symbol in square seal form on each. Apron and stretchers with simple linear and geometric carvings. Underside shows dovetail and mortise-and-tenon construction, heavy patina, appropriate darkening of wood in recesses. No modern screws, nails; construction all traditional. Cane seat intact. Some minor abrasions and light scuffing on legs and seat rim. Armrest terminations rounded and smooth, showing subtle wear. No visible cracks, splits, or major repairs. No labels, plaques, or modern branding.     一对中国黄花梨圈椅，圈形椅圈与扶手一体，靠背板中央雕有篆书“寿”字印章纹饰，为明式家具典型特征。座面为黄花梨框配藤编，中间围板及牙板均有简洁雕花装饰。椅底可见榫卯结构、老木料包浆及暗色磨痕。底部无现代五金，无标签或现代印记。轻微划痕与自然磨损（见于椅脚、椅圈末端等），无明显断裂或修补。椅圈端部光滑包浆，结构坚固。

Keywords

Ming dynasty, huanghuali, Chinese armchair, horseshoe-back, quanyi, antique furniture, China     明代，黄花梨，圈椅，扶手椅，古典家具，中国

Report ID:  : c64rpp

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