Pair of chairs; China, c. 1900.

Pair of chairs; China, c. 1900.
Lacquered wood and vegetable fiber seat.
Measurements: 102 x 44 x 38 cm (x2).
Pair of Chinese chairs dated circa 1900, made of lacquered wood with braided vegetable fiber seat.
These pieces respond to the aesthetic canons of traditional Chinese furniture, characterized by restrained elegance, structural symmetry and purity of lines. The rectilinear structure of the chairs, with slightly curved legs and lower crosspieces that reinforce stability, recalls the models developed during the Ming and Qing dynasties, where visual lightness and technical precision were fundamental values in furniture design.
The high back, gently arched at the top, has a central panel ornamented with a carved relief, possibly of a symbolic or auspicious nature, a frequent motif in Chinese artistic woodwork. The use of reddish lacquer, applied with several polished layers, not only gives brightness and chromatic depth to the surface, but also fulfills a protective function against humidity and insects.
The interwoven plant fiber seat introduces an element of texture and lightness that contrasts with the visual density of the lacquered wood, as well as providing comfort and ventilation.