Pair of Chinese Late Qing Dynasty Carved Hongmu Armchairs

This superb pair of carved Chinese hongmu armchairs date from the late Qing Dynasty, and strike an excellent balance between extravagant opulence and great artistic style and refinement.

With a throne-like level of decoration, the forms of these rosewood chairs are dominated by dragon motifs, both above and below the seat. The twisting arcs of the backrest and the arms - the intertwined bodies of the serpentile dragons -  sit elegantly upon the panelled seat, which in contrast with the upper half is perfectly flat and strictly orthogonal.

The terminals of the arms consist of the real highlight of the pieces: a pair of fantastically carved, large dragon heads, open-mouthed, which flank the sitter.

Beneath the seat there is a low relief carved frame depicting swirling clouds and dragons; each tier of this three-fold structure contrasts and complements the others with great sophistication, making these a highly desirable addition to any interior.

The pieces come with a well-suited pair of contemporary cushions, that hide as little of the excellent sculpture as possible.