Horseshoe Back Armchair
China, unknown workshop, Horseshoe Back Armchair, early 17th century, huanghuali wood and cane, Gift of Margery Hoffman Smith, public domain, 74.25.2
This work is not currently on view.
- Title
Horseshoe Back Armchair
- Related Titles
original language: 椅 中國 明末
- Artist
- Date
early 17th century
- Period
China: Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
- Medium
huanghuali wood and cane
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
37 3/4 in x 26 3/8 in x 24 in
- Collection Area
Asian Art
- Category
Furnishings
- Object Type
chair
- Culture
Chinese
- Credit Line
Gift of Margery Hoffman Smith
- Accession Number
74.25.2
- Copyright
public domain
- Terms
The chair is made of huanghuali, a rare cabinet wood noted for its density, its beautiful grain, and the translucent glow it takes on when polished. The sensitive carving of the beadwork under the seat and the delicate roundel on the back splat add to the overall impression of restrained elegance. The rounded back, which curves forward to form armrests on either side, is not made from a single piece of wood, as one might expect, but is actually assembled from five separate pieces fitted together with ingenious double tongue-and-groove half-lap joins with pressure pegs.
