A Pair of Early 19th Century Chinese Elm (Yumu) Chairs
十九世纪早期中国榆木四出头官帽椅一对
These chairs are of the variety known as guanmaoyi or a€?official's hat chairs,a€? named for their resemblance to the distinctive winged hats worn by Ming dynasty bureaucrats. Chinese material culture adopted the chair very early in its history, possibly around the year 1000AD, likely from India or other cultures to the west. Unlike their counterparts in Korea and Japan, Chinese craftsmen had absorbed the idea of elevated furniture long before the modern period, although low tables such as the kangzhuo discussed elsewhere in this catalogue continued to be used in the northern part of China.
Made from elm, these armchairs conform to the classic style seen from the middle Ming dynasty onward. Their back splats have a graceful curve that also functions to support the user's spine and is echoed by the winged a€?hata€? design of the top rails and the gently curving side posts, which taper towards their tip, a feature called a haoziyi or rat-tail. The front stretchers of the chairs are broadened and function as footrests, as evidenced by the smooth bevel they have acquired through use. As is typical of chairs of this type, these have a woven rattan seat, which functions as a cushion. These chairs balance the simplicity of their basic structure with small touches of craft and subtle curves that lend them an air of ease and elegance, and would make a handsome addition to any living or dining room.
榆木质地硬朗、质朴天然，制作过程中无需一钉一铆，榆木有榫卯相连，可以长久保存且越用越温润、通灵。其纹理清晰而美丽、坚韧度强、刨面光滑，能与不同材质的家具和谐搭配，给居室空间带来无限活力和自然的田园气息。四出头官帽椅的特点是椅背上端的木条和扶手的两端都要出头，这种椅背上端出头的样式好似明代官员带有帽翅的官帽，椅子的名字即由此而来。四出头官帽椅优美的流线型弧度，对后世北欧设计的椅子深有影响。此榆木官帽椅淳朴古拙，包浆温润，充分展现出清代官帽椅的简洁之美。座面以藤编织而成的软座细密透气，压后能随人体的自然曲线下凹，以减轻座面对臀部与股部的挤压，使人久坐而不腿麻。官帽椅的靠背板与座面呈直角，造型结构完全符合人体工程学，有利于养成良好的坐姿，且能使呼吸畅通，有益于精气神的同时也可达到预防颈、背痛的目的。如此典雅大方、清秀隽逸、品相完好的古典榆木官帽椅在如今世上实属难能可贵。若能拥有一两件，足以点缀居室，宜神养情了。
H1200 L560 D440mm
