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.