Nearly identical pair of Qing imperial Chinese lacquered Chippendale style chairs.

Provenance: Yamanaka & Co., "Art Treasures from the Imperial Palace," January 26 & 27, 1917, Lot 231.

The Yamanaka & Company catalog describes the auction as follows:
"A collection of palace furniture, being Ch'ien-Lung originals, redecorated at a time of the palace renovation about a half century ago, for the use of the imperial family, the decorations reproducing those of the Ch'ien-Lung time."

In the same catalog they describe the chairs as follows:
"Pair black lacquer side chairs. Quadrangular seats, legs and braces, with carved scroll skirt and back. Painted in gold on all surfaces with lotus sprays and scrolls, Shou medallions, and bats carrying symbols."
Each, height: 41 in x width: 20 in x depth: 17 in.

Both chairs are structurally sound and stable. There are large cracks to the lacquer of the wooden seats to both chairs. Cracking and some areas of peeling to the lacquered layer throughout both chairs. There is one small chip to the seat of one of the chairs. Fading to the gilt decoration throughout both chairs. Wear along the extreme edges of the lower stretcher bars. Wear to the feet consistent with age and use. General wear throughout.