Artmink

Chinese Qing Dynasty Huanghuali Horseshoe Back Folding Armchairs (Pair)

清代黄花梨圈椅折叠官帽椅（一对）

By: Unknown (typical of high-quality 19th century workshop pieces; makers rarely signed such furniture)

Style: Qing Dynasty Official Furniture / Horseshoe Back Folding Armchair (圈椅 官帽椅)

Origin: China

Materials: Huanghuali hardwood, cane, lacquer, pigment, metal (hinges/joints)

Age: Late Qing Dynasty, circa 19th century (c. 1850–1900)

Condition: Very Good (intact woven seats, minor lacquer loss, patina consistent with age, no visible major repairs)

Value: $10,000–$24,000 (auction estimate for a matched huanghuali pair)

Maker's Marks / Writing: Each chair has an inscribed lacquer panel on the back splat. The calligraphy reads: 右：“松风高逸传家宝，名椅流芳留子孙。乾隆乙未年孟秋制，长沙陈氏敬制。”（左椅）；左：“松风高逸传家宝，名椅流芳留子孙。乾隆乙未年孟秋制，长沙陈氏敬制。”（右椅），内容均称乾隆乙未年孟秋制，长沙陈氏敬制，强调传家之宝。

Date: 2025-06-20 23:37:32.300384

Description:

This is a pair of elegant Chinese folding armchairs, known as horseshoe-back or 'quanyi' (圈椅), fashioned from huanghuali hardwood. These chairs exhibit the classic rounded crest rail, S-curved arms and yoke-shaped backs, beautifully decorated with lacquered and painted panels featuring dragon and auspicious motifs on the front, along with woven cane seats. The back panels on the reverse are inset with calligraphic inscriptions in gold on a black ground. The intricate joinery, tasteful surface patina, and ornately carved footrests further enhance their collectible quality.     这是一对精美的中国折叠官帽椅，也称为圈椅，由黄花梨木制成。此对椅子展现了典型的圆形椅圈，S形弯曲扶手和枕形椅背，正面装饰有描金绘龙及吉祥图案的漆画框板，并配有编织藤面。椅背后方镶嵌有金字黑地书法铭文。精致的榫卯结构、优雅的包浆和雕刻精美的脚踏板进一步提升了收藏价值。

Curator Questions

Curated by Jade

Assessment:

A very fine and decorative pair of Qing Dynasty huanghuali folding armchairs. The pair features high-quality hardwood construction, traditional lacquer and painted ornamentation, and fine workmanship. The overall patina and wear appear consistent with age, but the relatively good condition of both painted decoration and wood suggests later Qing period or even Republic period manufacture. The presence of calligraphic inscriptions adds further interest. A word about fakes: this category is frequently reproduced, and close inspection of wood, joinery, and painted panels is necessary to confirm full period authenticity.     这是一对非常精致且具有装饰性的清代黄花梨折叠官帽椅。其选材考究，采用传统的漆绘装饰与高超的工艺。综合包浆与磨损状况符合古典家具的年代特征，不过漆绘保存较好，推测为晚清甚至民国时期制品，背板的书法铭文增添了收藏价值。关于赝品的提示：该品类为高仿重灾区，应细致检查木材、榫卯与漆绘板块，以判断其真实年代。

Individual Images:

• The reverse photos of the chairs clearly show the inset lacquered calligraphy panels
• suggesting later decorative enhancement. The back rails and arm joints show some darkening
• light abrasions
• and a natural patina
• with no visible structural breaks. The underside (visible where the folding mechanism attaches) appears undisturbed and not modern. The woven cane seats are largely intact
• although they show some darkening from use and age. Tiny chips to the painted surface and signs of oxidation on metal joints are consistent with age.

Provenance:

No provenance information supplied by user.

Condition:

Very Good (intact woven seats, minor lacquer loss, patina consistent with age, no visible major repairs)

Identification Score: 95%

The distinctive form, materials, and decoration allow confident identification as a pair of late Qing Dynasty Chinese huanghuali folding horseshoe armchairs. The presence of typical construction features and comparative stylistic reference validate the assessment.     凭借其独特的造型、材质及装饰，可较为自信地识别为晚清时期的中国黄花梨折叠圈椅一对。结构和风格特征均与同类经典器型相符。

Authenticity Score: 70%

These chairs display many characteristics expected of authentic Qing period folding armchairs: good quality hardwood, traditional construction, and aged features. However, the preservation of lacquerwork, leg joints, and relative lack of pronounced wear suggest possible late 19th century or very early 20th century (Republic) production, and the possibility of restoration or parts replacement cannot be excluded. The inscription panels are a common later embellishment. Exact dating would require physical inspection of wood, joints, and lacquer under magnification.     此对椅子拥有清代折叠圈椅应有的特征：优质硬木、传统结构、适度包浆。但漆绘及腿部榫接较为完整，加之整体磨损不甚显著，或为十九世纪末至二十世纪初（民国）制品，且不排除局部修复及局部更换的可能。带有铭文的背板为晚期较为常见的装饰。若要进一步确定，需要实地放大检查木材、榫卯及漆面。

Image Memory Note

Pair of Chinese folding horseshoe-back armchairs (quanyi), yellow-brown in color, with rounded crest-rails and S-shaped arm supports. Seat is woven cane. Both chairs feature painted panels with dragons and auspicious motifs on the front splats, and on the back, inset lacquer panels with calligraphic Chinese inscriptions in gold on black ground. The rear inscriptions (on both chairs) read: 『松风高逸传家宝，名椅流芳留子孙。乾隆乙未年孟秋制，长沙陈氏敬制。』[Translation: 'Heritage treasure of pine breeze and noble spirit, celebrated chair's fragrance left for descendants. Made in the autumn of the Qianlong Yimao year, respectfully made by the Chen family of Changsha.'] There are no visible structural breaks; the cane seats are intact but show darkening. Minor abrasions present along the arms and seat apron, painted surfaces show minor loss. Some oxidation is visible on the metal folding mechanism. No additional hallmarks appear. Chairs are symmetrical, with consistent patina on both.     一对中国折叠圈椅，呈黄褐色，带有圆形椅圈和S形扶手支架。座面为藤编结构。两椅正面背板均绘有金色龙与吉祥图案，背面镶嵌黑地金字漆书。文字内容为：“松风高逸传家宝，名椅流芳留子孙。乾隆乙未年孟秋制，长沙陈氏敬制”。未见结构性断裂，藤编座面完好但略有变色，扶手和椅牙板有轻微磨损，漆画表面有细微脱落。金属折叠件有轻度氧化，未见其他铭记。两椅包浆自然，风格一致。

Keywords

Chinese, Qing Dynasty, huanghuali, folding armchair, horseshoe back, official's hat chair, lacquer painting, antique furniture, China, 19th century     中国、清代、黄花梨、折叠椅、圈椅、官帽椅、漆画、古典家具、19世纪

Report ID:  : ngepu6

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