Artmink

Pair of Qing Dynasty Huanghuali Dragon-Decorated Horseshoe-Back Folding Armchairs

清代黄花梨龙纹圈椅（交椅）一对

By: Unknown maker

Style: Qing Dynasty/Chinese Classical Furniture

Origin: China

Materials: Huanghuali wood, woven rattan (cane), lacquer, paint, metal fittings

Age: Late Qing Dynasty to Republic Period (circa 1880-1930)

Condition: Very Good (mild surface wear, some fading or retouching of paint, cane seats intact but slightly worn, overall structurally sound, not officially graded)

Value: $8,000 - $20,000 (pair, at auction, depending on further authentication)

Maker's Marks / Writing: Both back splats are inscribed in Chinese: (left chair) '心' at the top, with the main text reading ... (characters to be transcribed for study); (right chair) '心' at the top, also followed by similar format main text. (Full transcription attempted in 'image_memory_note' below.)

Date: 2025-06-20 15:17:46.518268

Description:

This is a pair of Chinese folding horseshoe-back armchairs (jiaoyi) made from huanghuali hardwood. The design features the iconic rounded continuous crest rail, scrolled handrests, and intricately woven cane seats. The splats (back panels) are decorated with painted dragons, and the footrests and aprons exhibit painted and carved motifs. The reverse side includes prominent inscriptions in Chinese characters, possibly referencing auspicious phrases, commemorations, or later dedications. The construction includes curved members and original hardware elements. Jiaoyi chairs were symbols of status and usually reserved for high-ranking officials and scholars. While authentic Qing jiaoyi in huanghuali are extremely rare, the overall quality, decorative painting, and surface wear suggest these are either late Qing dynasty or early 20th-century high-quality replicas, but a closer inspection would be essential to verify.     这是一对中国传统交椅，用黄花梨木制成，属于清代家具。椅子整体造型为经典的圈椅式，椭圆形靠背与扶手一体成型，座面为编织藤面。靠背板上装饰有手绘龙纹，踏脚板及牙板等处亦有彩绘与浮雕纹饰。椅背反面刻有明显的中文铭文，内容或为吉语、纪年或后期题字。结构精美，曲线流畅，部分五金配件仍为原装。交椅在中国传统家具中代表身份与地位，常为高官或文人所用。由于真正清代黄花梨交椅极其罕见，而此对椅子虽具有时代风貌与表面磨损痕迹，但推测极有可能为清末或民国时期的高仿品，还需近距离实物鉴定方能断定。

Curator Questions

Curated by Jade

Assessment:

A finely made and visually striking pair of folding armchairs in the iconic horseshoe-back (jiaoyi) form, displaying dragon motifs and prominent inscriptions. The painting and patina suggest some age, but the overall finish and condition point toward late Qing to Republic period rather than early Qing or Ming originals, which would command much higher values. Still, these are fine decorative objects with considerable value, especially if proven to be of substantial age.     这是一对工艺精美、视觉吸引力强的圈椅（交椅），装饰有龙纹并带有明显铭文。彩绘与包浆暗示一定年代，但整体做工和保存状况更趋向于清末或民初时期，而非早期的明清原作，后者价值更高。即便如此，此类椅子仍具相当的艺术与收藏价值，若实为清代末期作品，其价值亦不容小觑。

Individual Images:

• The second photo shows the reverse with Chinese inscriptions—one panel is inscribed with neat vertical lines of characters. Both chairs exhibit hand-painted dragons on the front splat. Cane seats appear tight
• with only minimal sag. The feet
• joints
• and metal mounts demonstrate patina and some wear but no major loss or visible repairs. Inscriptions on the back should be researched for historical or commemorative detail
• as they may indicate ownership or dedication. Painting on splats is moderately faded
• especially in areas exposed to more friction.

Provenance:

No provenance documentation provided.

Condition:

Very Good (mild surface wear, some fading or retouching of paint, cane seats intact but slightly worn, overall structurally sound, not officially graded)

Identification Score: 92%

The overall form, decorative motifs, and visible wood grain make these readily identifiable as a Chinese pair of folding horseshoe-back armchairs (jiaoyi), a classic form in Chinese furniture. The presence of dragon decoration and Chinese inscriptions further solidifies this identification. The materials and joinery are consistent with late Qing period examples.     整体造型、装饰纹样与木纹清晰地表明这是中国经典的交椅（圈椅）一对；龙纹与中文铭文进一步佐证了其身份；材料与结构工艺与清末家具相符。

Authenticity Score: 60%

There are several positive signs of age, including wear to the wood, dulled patina, and old surface touch-ups. However, authentic Ming/Qing dynasty huanghuali jiaoyi are exceedingly rare, and these examples, while well made, display traits (bright coloration, relatively even wear, and modern-looking cane weaving) that point to late Qing or Republic period production, or possibly later high-end replicas. Provenance or a physical examination would be needed for certainty.     木材表面磨损、包浆自然、局部修补均显示出一定年代感，但明清时期的黄花梨交椅极为罕见，此对椅子部分特征（色彩明快、磨损相对均匀、藤编新旧感较轻）更趋于清末、民国或高仿品。需结合实物与来源资料才能最终定论。

Image Memory Note

The object consists of two nearly identical Chinese folding armchairs (jiaoyi), each with a rounded horseshoe-shaped crest rail, distinctive upturned handrests, and woven cane seat. The front splat of each is painted with a gold ground depicting a stylized dragon amongst clouds or waves, in a typical Qing decorative scheme. Hand-carved ornamental aprons and stretchers are present. The back of each splat features the character '心' (heart/mind) at the top, and beneath that, two columns of neatly painted vertical Chinese characters referencing '福建省福州', and names that appear to be dedications or titles (not fully legible at this resolution, but phrases like '敬贈', '某年吉日', '慶', '福' etc. are discernible). No visible Western hardware—joinery appears tenoned with some metal support bands at key joints. The wood shows moderate wear, particularly on feet, armrest ends, and crest rail. Overall, these are well-crafted items but with only moderate aged patina, suggesting late Qing through Republic period or a careful high-end reproduction. No obvious signs of structural damage or major repairs.     该物品为两把中国交椅，造型几乎一致，均为半圆形靠背、扶手外翘、藤编座面。正面靠背板为金地龙纹彩绘，为典型的清代装饰风格。椅子配有手工雕刻牙板和横档。每把椅子的背面靠背板顶部为“心”字，下面为两列竖写中文，包括“福建省福州”等词语和疑似题赠、称谓（因分辨率有限，内容如“敬赠”、“某年吉日”、“庆”、“福”等字样可见）。整体为榫卯结构，部分位置有金属包带加固。木材在椅脚、扶手端、搭脑等部位磨损明显，无西式五金配件。整体包浆适中，更像清末至民国或高级仿古品。未见重大损坏或修补迹象。

Keywords

Chinese, Qing Dynasty, huanghuali, folding chair, jiaoyi, dragon motif, horseshoe armchair, Republic Period, collectible furniture, China     中国，清代，黄花梨，交椅，龙纹，圈椅，民国，古典家具，收藏，黄花梨交椅

Report ID:  : ygzs3x

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