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Late 19th Century Ming Dynasty Style Chinese Ceremonial Chairs- Set of 4
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Details
Description
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as it provides detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the …
more
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as it provides detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our items.
This series of four beautiful and rare Chinese ceremonial chairs has some unique features. It is important to note that two chairs are of one height, while the other two are slightly lower (see photo). This difference does not detract from their value; in fact, it adds a unique characteristic. The two lower chairs have identical inlay designs on the high back panels, while the higher chairs have different designs from each other.
The light wood inlay designs, located on the center panels of each chair, are enclosed in a curvilinear track. Due to their general shape, they can be classified as ceremonial chairs. The inlay decorations represent auspicious symbols and scenes of good luck and prosperity. Compared to ordinary chairs, these have wider seats and more complex workmanship, with several slabs of wood connected by joints without the use of nails. The central panels of the backrests are finely decorated and curved outward for more comfortable seating. The legs are thick, massive, and slightly flared outward for perfect stability, ensuring the chairs are comfortable for long and exhausting ceremonies.
These chairs were made between 1870 and 1875, during the Qing dynasty, but in the Ming style. Although they predate the nineteenth-century period, the Ming style greatly influenced later production. Ming chairs are characterized by clean lines, balance, and functional simplicity. It is likely that our chairs were created in a skilled workshop in Beijing, a major center for furniture production known for its high-quality chairs, often commissioned by the nobility and the imperial court. The other main centers of chair production, Suzhou and Guangzhou, had characteristics that did not match our chairs. Suzhou craftsmen specialized in intricate details and designs, while Guangzhou was known for the influence of international trade, resulting in more elaborate and ornate designs.
Regarding wood, during the Ming period, Hanghuali (a rare and fine rosewood) was used, prized for its hardness and natural beauty. Our chairs, however, were made during the Qing dynasty, when Zitan was used. Zitan is a hard, dense wood with inconspicuous grain and fine texture, similar to rosewood, from Indochina and Hainan Island, highly prized by Chinese craftsmen and their demanding and refined clientele of nobles. Nineteenth-century Chinese chairs display a wide variety of styles and techniques, reflecting both local traditions and outside influences. The craftsmanship and quality make these pieces of furniture not only functional but also works of art.
We have not restored the wooden structure of the chairs, as their surface patina and small imperfections add to their allure and attest to their antiquity and authenticity. A few of the small columns spacing the lower part of the seat are missing, with a small partition placed between the two front legs. We could not find the original wood to replace the missing pieces, so we preferred to leave the chairs in their original condition.
Measurements: width 50 cm, depth 39 cm, height 93 cm, seat height 50 cm. For all our shipments, we use special packing materials (custom-made wooden crates, styrofoam, etc.) for maximum protection and safety of the items.
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- Dimensions
- 19.69ʺW × 15.36ʺD × 36.61ʺH
- Number of Seats
- 4
- Seat Height
- 19.69 in
- Period
- Late 19th Century
- Country of Origin
- China
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Wood
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Brown
- Condition Notes
- Wear consistent with age and use. We have not restored the wooden structure of the chairs, as their surface patina … moreWear consistent with age and use. We have not restored the wooden structure of the chairs, as their surface patina and small imperfections add to their allure and attest to their antiquity and authenticity. Read more in the description. less
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Standard Returns & Cancellations
Return Policy - All sales are final 48 hours after delivery, unless otherwise specified in the description of the product.
Extended Return for Trade
- Expands return window for trade members to 14 days (12 days more than our standard return policy)
- Trade member to notify Chairish of intent to return within 14 days of item delivery
- Buyer refunded item cost. Buyer pays return shipping cost
- Does not apply to damages that occur post-delivery
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Returns
- Does not arrive
- Is broken during transit
- Is entirely different than what you purchased
- Some made-to-order items and a limited selection of other items (noted as non-refundable in the returns and cancellations section of the product description)
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Orders where Free Local Pickup or Seller Managed Local Delivery were selected:
- Upon inspection, If you decide not to move forward with the purchase, you or your agent must refuse the item at the time of pickup/delivery from the seller
- Once you have taken possession of the item, all sales are final
- International, cross-border returns may require different processes depending on the countries between which the item is shipping to/from, and the buyer is responsible and duties (if applicable, on cross-border orders).
- On approved returns, the buyer is responsible for the full cost of return packing and shipping.
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- Please notify us within 24 hours of purchase if you would like to cancel an order, as prompt cancellation will reduce the likelihood that you will incur return shipping charges.
- Once shipping or pickup has been initiated, the cancellation will be considered a return and you will be responsible for the cost of shipping.
Shipping
Note: Made-to-Order items typically include a lead time or custom delivery window that is added to the delivery time.
- Chairish Express In-Home Delivery
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- The item will be delivered to your home and placed in the desired room. The delivery service includes unpacking, inspecting, and removing packaging materials; and does not include installation or setting up the item.
- Shipping charges start at $999 and vary based on the size, weight, packaging, and/or the value of the item.
- Deliveries can take anywhere from 6 to 9 weeks to be delivered.
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- Shipping charges start at $799 and vary based on the size, weight, packaging, and/or the value of the item.
- Chairish Freight deliveries can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks.
- Only available in selected markets.
- Chairish In-Home Delivery
- The item will be delivered to your home and placed in the desired room. The delivery service includes unpacking, inspecting, and removing packaging materials; and does not include installation or setting up the item.
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Shipping charges start at $149 and based on the size and the distance between pickup and delivery
(for approximate values see table):
Delivery Type Within 50 miles radius Within 1,500 miles radius Over 1,500 miles radius International Cross-Border Shipping Price $149 - $299 $199 - $799 $449 - $899 Over $899 Transit Time 2 to 4 weeks 3 to 6 weeks 4 to 8 weeks 12 to 17 weeks - For some items, the shipping price may vary depending on the size, weight, material and/or value of the item.
- Free Local Pickup
- Local pickup allows customers to inspect an item at the time of pickup and avoid shipping costs.
- Following purchase, a confirmation email is sent to the email address associated with the order, and includes: Pickup Verification & Seller's contact information
- Please contact the seller within 5 days to coordinate pickup
- Once the item has been picked up (by you or your representative) it cannot be returned or refunded.
- Free Shipping
- Free shipping may be offered on select listings.
- Smaller items are typically delivered within 2 weeks of the purchase date, while larger items and furniture may take up to 6 weeks for delivery.
- When an item with Free Shipping is returned, the cost of return shipping fees will be charged to the buyer.
- Parcel Delivery
- Shipment is arranged through recognized carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
- Only pieces that can be safely packed in a box or envelope may be shipped via parcel.
- Shipping charges start at $9 — and vary based on the size, weight, packaging and the value of the item.
Delivery Type US Domestic International Cross-Border Shipping Price $9 - $99 $39 - $499 Transit Time 1 to 2 weeks 2 to 4 weeks - Seller Managed Delivery
- Shipping is offered and managed by the seller, through a shipper of the seller’s choice.
- Available on items at the seller’s discretion.
- Seller Managed Local Delivery
- Local curbside delivery is offered and managed by the seller, within a limited geography.
- Following purchase, a confirmation email is sent to the confirmation email address associated with the order, and includes: Pickup Verification Code & Seller’s contact information
- Please contact the seller within 5 days to coordinate delivery.
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