Chinese Qing Shopkeepers Chair, 1860s

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This ornate and finely carved chair dates back to the city of Hefei in Anhui province circa 1860. Intended to … Read more This ornate and finely carved chair dates back to the city of Hefei in Anhui province circa 1860. Intended to be used by shop owners, the chair was designed with a space below the removable seat to store money securely. While the key to the bottom section is no longer available, the seat can still be effortlessly removed for access to its inner compartment.

This chair, true to style of the later Qing period, features heavily stylised arms, intricate carving, and sturdy pedestal feet. It boasts a wide backrest split into three sections, showcasing intricate open carvings in floral patterns. Notably, the smaller top and bottom panels are worked on two distinct levels, an uncommon feature of a typically utilitarian item. See less