Item Report
Pair of Qing Period Huanghuali and Elm Official's Hat Folding Horseshoe Armchairs (Dragon-Yoke Folding Chairs)
清代黄花梨及榆木圈椅式官帽折叠椅一对（龙纹交椅）
By: Unknown (Typical of Qing court carpentry workshops)
Style: Qing Dynasty Furniture
Origin: China
Materials: Huanghuali wood, elm wood, plant fiber (possibly rattan or hemp), brass/copper alloy, pigment/paint
Age: Late Qing Dynasty, circa 19th century (c. 1850-1900)
Condition: Very Good (minor wear, honest patina, appropriate repairs to structural joints and some refreshed seat weaving, not professionally conserved)
Value: $15,000 - $30,000 (for the pair, auction estimate)
Maker's Marks / Writing: Chinese inscriptions on the rear backsplat: The text on the left chair reads: 上御所製監造官帽交椅，咸豐九年孟秋，總管太監陳某某敬製 (Made in the Imperial Palace Workshop, Official's Hat Folding Chair, Xianfeng Ninth Year, Late Summer, Overseen by Chief Eunuch Chen [name obscured]). Right chair: 官帽交椅，咸豐九年某月，總管太監**製。 (Official’s Hat Folding Chair, Xianfeng Ninth Year, [month obscured], Overseen by Chief Eunuch [name obscured])
Date: 2025-06-19 14:56:58.785633
Description:
This is a pair of Qing Dynasty folding 'official's hat chairs', also known as 'horseshoe-back folding armchairs'. The frames are constructed from huanghuali and elm wood, with rounded continuous top rails and large scrolled arms. The backsplat of each chair is decorated with a painted imperial dragon chasing a flaming pearl amidst clouds, signifying imperial status. The seats are woven from natural plant fiber, likely rattan or hemp. Brass or copper hardware and some painted embellishments ornament the sides, arm terminals, and footrests. There are Chinese inscriptions on the reverse of the backsplats. These folding chairs (jiaoyi) were symbols of authority and mobility in late Imperial China and highly valued by officials. 这是一对清代黄花梨和榆木制作的“官帽椅”，又称“圈椅式折叠交椅”。椅架为圆弧形顶圈，与大弯臂相连，下承弯腿。椅背板饰以五爪龙戏珠及云气图案，寓意尊贵与权威。座面为藤条或麻绳编结而成，脚踏及椅身多处带有铜（或铜合金）饰件与彩绘装饰。椅背后方有中文铭文刻字。交椅在中国古代为权力象征，常见于官员出行场合，具有极高的历史与艺术价值。
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This is a fine and decorative pair of Qing period jiaoyi (folding horseshoe armchairs) with imperial iconography and traditional joinery construction. The use of huanghuali indicates high status, and the dragon decoration suggests an association with the upper echelons of Qing society or possible ceremonial use. The chairs show honest patina, appropriate wear, and interesting inscriptions which add to provenance and research potential. Such pairs are increasingly rare and collectible in today's market. 这是一对保存良好的清代圈椅式交椅，具有帝王象征的龙纹彩饰及传统榫卯工艺。黄花梨木用材代表身份尊贵，龙纹装饰暗示此椅或与清代上层阶级或仪典场合有关。椅体带有自然包浆和年代磨损，背面铭文为研究提供了线索。这类成对官帽交椅在市场上极为稀有，颇具收藏与投资价值。
Individual Images:
- Detail images show dragon back splat painting in good
- slightly worn condition with vibrant pigment. Arm terminals and iron mounts show darkened surface oxidation and wear consistent with 19th-century use. The woven plant fiber seat exhibits discoloration and some fraying
- typical of age but still structurally intact. The rear inscriptions are legible and could further provenance or research. No major losses
- just appropriate minor age cracks and repairs. The carving on the footrest is clear and crisp.
Provenance:
No direct documentation supplied. The inscriptions mention Imperial Palace workshop and date to Xianfeng era, suggesting probable palace or official use.
Condition:
Very Good (minor wear, honest patina, appropriate repairs to structural joints and some refreshed seat weaving, not professionally conserved)
Identification Score: 97%
High confidence due to clear horseshoe-back form, period-appropriate materials (huanghuali, elm, traditional weaving), stylistic dragon iconography, and readable historical Chinese inscriptions. Minor modern restoration could be present but the overall profile, patina, and craftsmanship point definitively to a 19th-century Qing origin. 信心极高，因圈椅式交椅造型、黄花梨与榆木等符合时代特征的用材、传统编织座面、龙纹图案以及清晰可读的中文铭文皆表明其为清代十九世纪之作。虽不排除有部分近代修复，但整体轮廓、包浆及工艺特征清楚指向清晚期本真属性。
Authenticity Score: 90%
The substantial age patina, traditional joinery, evident honest wear (particularly on seats and feet), appropriate oxidation on brassware, and period-style painting all point to the authenticity of the pair as late Qing jiaoyi. Some evidence of minor restoration to arms or rails (typical for chairs of this vintage) is visible, which does not detract from their authenticity but might affect a museum-quality rating. 椅体包浆自然，榫卯结构，座面与脚踏处均有年久使用痕迹，铜件氧化现象符合清晚期实物，多处彩绘亦为时代风格，综合判断为清末官帽交椅原作。局部如扶手或圈椅顶有轻微修补，但为年代家具常态，整体仍具高度真品属性，仅对顶级完美评级有轻微影响。
Image Memory Note
A pair of Qing dynasty folding horseshoe-back 'official's hat' armchairs. Wood frames, possibly huanghuali and elm, with continuous rounded top rail, dragon-shaped splats (front painted with five-clawed dragon and clouds, back with Chinese imperial inscriptions referencing Xianfeng era and palace pro-venance), large 'ear' terminals, woven plant fiber (rattan or hemp) seats, and carved pierced footrests. Brass/copper hardware shows appropriate oxidation; painted decoration is worn but clear. Minor surface cracks, evidence of honest wear throughout. Inscriptions on the rear of back panel (Xianfeng 9th year, overseen by chief eunuch, imperial workshop). No obvious loss or major repair. Each dragon is surrounded by colored clouds. No provenance documentation in images; inscriptions provide best evidence. 一对清代黄花梨及榆木官帽折叠交椅，圈形大靠背，椅背板正面彩绘五爪龙戏珠及云气，背面刻有“上御所制监造官帽交椅，咸丰九年孟秋，总管太监陈某某敬制”等铭文，座面为藤/麻绳编结，腿足、脚踏有透雕及彩绘，铜件氧化自然。整体包浆及磨痕真实，局部有细微裂痕，结构良好。无明显缺损或重修，手工铭文与龙纹极具清宫物品风格，无伴随出处文件，铭文为主要溯源依据。
Keywords
Qing dynasty, official's hat chair, folding armchair, jiaoyi, huanghuali, imperial dragon, Chinese antique furniture, 19th century, China 清代、官帽椅、折叠交椅、交椅、黄花梨、龙纹、中国古董家具、十九世纪、中国
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