1. An antique Chinese hongmu (rosewood) reception chair of classic construction with S-curved backrest and camelback top rail. The seat is formed of four mitered mortise and tenon joined frame members within which rests the seat panel. Double cross supports are the mitered underpinning of the seat and the legs are secured by four sided humpbacked stretchers and lower interlocking brackets.

Measuring 42” high by 20 ½” wide by 16” deep.

2. A pair of antique Chinese jichimu (chicken-wing wood) horseshoe armchairs from the mid-1800’s of the Shanxi Region with traditional mitered mortise and tenon construction. The elegant arm rests finish in cloud form spandrels and are supported by both S-curve and round posts. The S-curve back rests are detailed with inset raised panels of auspicious stylized guazhi (sea dragons). The four square post legs are secured into inserted shoulder joints to the waist of the base of the frame members of the seat panels. These legs are further secured by cross bracketing – a traditional construction to stabilize the structural integrity of the chairs. The front lower cross rails were intended as foot rests, as Chinese cultural tradition called for feet not to touch the ground when seated.

Measuring 38 ¾” high by 27” wide by 26” deep.

3. A most elegant pair of antique Vietnamese export rosewood fiddle back chairs with exquisite inlaid detail and classic mitered mortise and tenon construction. The vertical back stretcher is an organic carving of an old peach bough with the leaves and fruit inlaid in mother of pearl and the centerpiece in marble. The peach is a symbol of wisdom and longevity associated with the Genii, Taoist Immortals. The further details are of classic nature studies depicting birds and flora. The four gently curved legs are structurally secured by a set of four interlocking cross brackets. Vietnamese for French market, late 19th century.

Measuring 37” high by 16 ¼” wide by 19” deep. 

4. An antique Chinese hongmu (rosewood) side chair with raffia seat panel set within four frame members. The backrest is inserted into the seat frame and further secured by guazhi openwork corner spandrels. The legs are secured by shoulder joints to the surrounding humpbacked apron. Both apron and backrest complement each other in their design. Finished with pearled edge detail. Early 19th century.

Measuring 38” high by 21 ¾” wide by 16 ¾” deep.

5. A late 18th century Chinese nanmu (southern elm) meditation bench for a monk of the Chan (Zen, jp.) tradition where seated meditation is practiced for many hours at a time. It is of classic Chinese mitered mortise and tenon construction with legs structurally secured by cross bracketing that is formed as an aesthetically pleasing oval opening on all four sides. The legs then finish in a curvilinear compliment of hoof form feet. The seat is covered in woven raffia caning that is supported by a rope webbing and humpbacked stretchers.

Measuring 20 ½” high by 27” square.

6. A most unusual custom made antique Japanese carved wood and lacquer bench with two cabinets at either side, the doors of which are exquisitely detailed in rich gold nashiji lacquer with gold hiramakié studies of trailing wisteria. The frames of the doors are carved with diamond patterns and finished with an ivory knob. This sits within a further framework of a hiramakié lacquer pattern of kiku blossoms. The seat rests on a wood waist surrounded in high relief carving of grapevines. A finely carved open lattice work apron wraps the opening to a recessed interior shelf and also extends beneath both cabinets. Japan, circa 1890.

Measuring 23” high by 54” wide by 18 ½” deep.