Item Report
Pair of Chinese Qing Period Huanghuali Dragon-Backed Folding Horseshoe Armchairs
清代黄花梨龙背折叠圈椅一对
By: Unknown
Style: Chinese Qing Dynasty Furniture / Official’s Folding Chair (Jiaoyi)
Origin: China
Materials: Huanghuali wood, cane/rattan, metal, lacquer and pigment
Age: Late Qing Dynasty, circa 19th century (c. 1850-1900)
Condition: Very Good (patina to seats, minor lacquer and edge wear, slight fading of paint, minor reinforcement to metal mounts)
Value: $12,000–$20,000 (auction pair, if authentic)
Maker's Marks / Writing: Prominent gold inscriptions in Chinese characters on the backs: “浙江绍兴缪仲和敬赠…嘉庆二十五年仲秋吉日……” and “奉宪加赠贵州按察使加三品封骑都尉李公铭德”。
Date: 2025-06-20 12:47:42.037161
Description:
This is a rare matched pair of late Qing dynasty folding horseshoe-back armchairs (jiao yi 交椅 / 官帽椅). These chairs are crafted from huanghuali wood and feature round, sweeping horseshoe-shaped backs with upturned handrests, S-curved arms, and footrests. The splat panels are decorated with finely painted five-clawed dragons and auspicious clouds in rich colors. The rear of each splat has a prominent dedication in Chinese calligraphy, denoting presentation or commemorative usage. The woven cane seats show patina consistent with significant age. Metal mounts are present for reinforcement. This design was historically reserved for status and were portable symbols of power in high Qing society. 这是一对清代晚期罕见的折叠式圈椅（交椅/官帽椅）。椅子由黄花梨木制成，带有圆弧形的圈背，向上弯曲的扶手，S形弯曲的扶臂和脚踏板。椅背中部嵌板饰有精美的五爪龙和祥云彩绘，色彩丰富。椅背后面装饰有醒目的中文题字，表明此椅曾作赠送或纪念用途。藤编坐面有明显包浆，呈现年代感。局部配有金属包角加固。此设计在清代为身份象征，也是权力的移动象征。
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A finely crafted and visually striking pair of late Qing folding armchairs in huanghuali with rare dragon and auspicious motif panels, commemorative calligraphy, and significant patina. The design and construction are consistent with Qing period originals, and the presence of detailed inscriptions enhances provenance interest. 这是一对工艺精湛、视觉效果突出的清代晚期黄花梨折叠椅，配有罕见的龙纹和吉祥图案嵌板，以及纪念题字，包浆明显。造型结构与清代原作一致，铭文为历史提供重要佐证，极具收藏及学术价值。
Individual Images:
- The secondary images show close-ups of the dragon paintings with detailed scales
- and patina on the bamboo/rattan seat. There is some rubbing and lacquer loss to armrests and backs
- typical of age. Rear splat inscriptions
- in clear Chinese script
- suggest a commemorative presentation. Side profile shows structurally sound folding form and original hardware
- with some minor replacements or reinforcements not unusual for 19th-century furniture. The feet and stretcher show typical use wear.
Provenance:
No explicit provenance provided; inscriptions imply presentation history.
Condition:
Very Good (patina to seats, minor lacquer and edge wear, slight fading of paint, minor reinforcement to metal mounts)
Identification Score: 98%
The form, materials, decorative motifs, and construction strongly identify these chairs as Qing dynasty official’s folding horseshoe-back armchairs (jiao yi). The rare dragon painting and calligraphic inscriptions provide precision to the identification. 从形式、用材、装饰和结构来看，这对椅子极为典型地属于清代官帽椅（交椅）。龙纹与纪念铭文进一步加强了识别准确性。
Authenticity Score: 85%
The chairs show many signs of authentic Qing dynasty manufacture: huanghuali wood, patinated woven cane seats, hand-painted decoration, and period-appropriate construction techniques including the form and fittings. The relatively good condition and preservation raise a slight caution; it is possible that some restoration or careful conservation has taken place, but no overt modern reproduction signs are visible. Presence of commemorative inscriptions on such furniture is known, though should be verified in-person for authenticity. 椅子展现出许多清代制式的特征：黄花梨木材、藤编坐面包浆、手绘彩饰，以及符合时代特征的结构细节。保存状况较好可能有修复，但未见明显现代仿品痕迹。铭文在此类家具中确有先例，但建议实物近距离查验以核实真实性。
Image Memory Note
The object is a pair of Chinese folding horseshoe-back armchairs with dragon-decorated central splats and stretched cane seats. The chairs are made of richly grained huanghuali, with traces of old lacquer, and darkened metal mounts, and classic S-shaped arms. Each chair has a gold-painted splat showing a five-clawed dragon amidst clouds on an orange ground, and the back side has commemorative dedications written vertically in Chinese calligraphy. The inscription on the left chair reads: “浙江绍兴缪仲和敬赠 嘉庆二十五年仲秋吉日勒铭”, indicating it was presented by Miao Zhonghe from Shaoxing, Zhejiang, likely in Jiaqing year 25 (1820). The right chair is similarly inscribed honoring an official, “奉宪加赠贵州按察使加三品封骑都尉李公铭德”. Cane/rattan seats are aged; armrests and backs exhibit lacquer wear and minor cracks. Metal mounts and reinforcements are present at arm joints and leg pivots. Footrests are painted and worn. No Western maker’s marks. No apparent major restoration, seat warping or structural failure. Slight color loss and wear typical of 19th-century pieces. 物品为一对中国折叠圈椅（交椅），椅背中部为五爪龙与祥云金彩绘，底色橙黄，坐面为老藤编。主体木料为黄花梨，局部残留生漆包浆，扶手与背圈有金属包角加固，造型独特。椅背后侧有纪念题字：左椅题为“浙江绍兴缪仲和敬赠 嘉庆二十五年仲秋吉日勒铭”，推测为1820年由缪仲和敬献。右椅：“奉宪加赠贵州按察使加三品封骑都尉李公铭德”。藤编包浆深厚，扶手与背圈有磨损及小裂，金属包角与连接件保存较好，脚踏板有彩绘磨损。未见西洋铭文，无明显大修痕迹。色彩磨损和老化现象符合十九世纪同类家具。
Keywords
Chinese, Qing Dynasty, huanghuali, folding chair, horseshoe armchair, jiaoyi, dragon, inscription, 19th century, China, portable official’s chair, hardwood furniture 中国，清代，黄花梨，折叠椅，圈椅，交椅，龙纹，铭文，19世纪，官帽椅，硬木家具
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