A hardwood armchair, Qing dynasty (1644-1912).
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The horizontal back rest with stove pipe ends tenoned into the stiles which run through the seat forming the back legs, the stiles, arm rests set of by an apron carved with geometric spirals. The back with relief pattern. Seat clad in rattan. Height back 87 cm, height seat 48.5 cm, width 56 cm.
Wear.
Provenance
Purchased at Viktoria Lindström Antikhandel, Grev turegatan 28, Stockholm.
Viktoria Lindström started her career at Helge Lundgren (Lundgrens Antik) in the 1940’s, she then started up her own business at Grev Turegatan 28, and when the house was torn down she moved the business to Riddargatan. She was a dealer of good repute in Asian and Egyptian Art in Stockholm who sold both to museums and private collectors.
From the Collection of Art Director Ivar Björnberg (1934-2021). Growing up at Östermalm, Stockholm Ivar visited gallery viewings, auction viewings and antique shops with his parents and alone. It was during his visits to the antique dealers of Stockholm he became friends with the dealer Victoria Lindström, Grev Turegatan 28, Stockholm (1644-1912). He started to work extra at the gallery and had her as a mentor when starting his own collection. The collection is a academic one and it shows Mr Björnbergs taste and great passion for the aesthetics of Chinese Works of Art.
Exhibitions
See a related pair sold at Sothebys, October 7th, 2015, lot 128 from the Collection of Dr S. Y. Yip.
Also compare a pair sold at Bonhams, San Francisco, lot no 8203. Thursday, December 10th 2015.
Literature
See related pair at the Liang Yi Museum, published in Curtis Evarts. A Leisurely Pursuit. Splendid Hardwood Antiquities from the Liang Yi Museum. 2000. No 16. Page 78-79.
More information
Chairs of this type are known as meiguiyi in the north but in the south they are known as wenyi or scholar's chair. The form is characterised by its low regular back and it is thought that when placed in the scholar's studio, it would fit neatly under the window without obstructing the view outside.