Chair
Dateca. 1600-50
Maker
Chinese
Label TextNow nearly extinct, huanghuali was prized from the mid-Ming for its lustrous color, patterning, and sweet fragrance. Nicknamed the “official's hat” (putou), these chairs have protruding crest rails resembling the brim of a hat, a shape echoed by the prominent arms and arched apron. A large piece of timber was generously used to carve ideal curves. “Gooseneck” front posts connect the arms to the seat.
Object number2010.39.2
ProvenancePurchased by Albert Ravenholt in Shanghai, 1940s
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Pure Amusements: Wealth, Leisure, and Culture in Late Imperial China, Dec. 24, 2016 - May 15, 2022.Credit LineGift of Marjorie and Albert Ravenholt
Dimensions42 1/2 x 24 7/16 x 22 7/16 in. (108 x 62.1 x 57 cm)
MediumHuanghuali (yellow rosewood)