Pair of rare mid-19th century Chinese elm wood horseshoe back quanyi chairs. Each with a U-form crestrail. Each with a carved and bowed paneled splat decorated with a ruyi panel above a panel with a Buddhist lion flanked by pierced fretwork. With newer caned seats and high-arched stretchers. It is unusual to see hardwood chairs with carvings such as this.

Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, "Fine Chinese Ceramics, Furniture and Works of Art," November 29 & 30, 1995, Lot 349; The collection of Bruce Dayton and Ruth Stricker Dayton - Selections from The Marsh, Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Each, height: 39 in x width: 26 3/4 in x depth: 21 in. The chairs are structurally sound and stable. There is one missing decorative piece along the arm of one chair. Some wear including areas of rubbing, small chips, and separation along the joints throughout both chairs.