A rare pair of jade-mounted zitan corner chairs


19th CenturyThe raised crest of the flattened horseshoe back elegantly carved with a series of lotus petals and jewels and supported by three ring and baluster form styles set between superbly rendered vasiform splats carved with further lotus and cloud scrolls and housing brilliant white jade bi discs, the crest and horseshoe back carved from one piece of wood and terminating in leaf-shaped arm rests, the three stiles continuous to form the back and side legs and carved with ruyi-shaped knees and feet joined to the front leg by ring and baluster form cross stretchers.35 3/8in (89.8cm) high; 30 1/2in (77.5cm) wide
|ProvenancePurchased in New York City in the 1970'sThis form has its basis in Europe, notably in mid-18th century George II mahogany corner chairs. Also named "roundabout chairs" or writing chairs, one origin may be the three-cornered Elizabethan Varangian chairs of the 13th century. By the mid-18th century, Queen Anne and Chippendale examples were produced in America. See a Queen Anne example sold Christie's New York, Jan uary 21, 2011, lot 74, Boston, Circa 1750-1770, and a Chippendale example from the James L. Britton Collection, sold Christie's, New York, 16 January 1999, lot 613, New York, 1760-70. Although commonly composed of two back splats set between three baluster styles, few corner chairs are identical. This pair, set with elegant white jade bi discs in its superbly carved splats, appear to be unique.