Rare Matched Set of Antique Chinese Dragon Armchair and Rocker

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Rare Matched Set of Antique Chinese Dragon armchair and rocker

Details
Acquired at estate sale in January 1977.
In March … Read more Rare Matched Set of Antique Chinese Dragon armchair and rocker

Details
Acquired at estate sale in January 1977.
In March 1981, SMITHSONIAN Institution’s FREER GALLERY OF ART WASHINGTON, D. C. performed a visual review of the chairs and noted that the chairs were Chinese in provenance and that they probably were made at some time during the last 100 years.
The arm chair and rocker are made of hardwood with a black lacquer finish. The underside of the rocker rails show a lighter reddish wood where worn.
The arms of both pieces are carved in intricate high-relief with details showing swirling feathers, horns, scales, and traditional dragon motifs. The arm terminals are carved dragon heads while the legs terminate in a dragon head with an open mouth. The backrest features a centralized shield intricately carved with undulating scales of a coiled dragon interweave over stylized floral waves and clouds. The rocker rails are carved in relief showing scales. No maker identified. These features are consistent with Chinese imperial decorative tradition and adapted for the Western export market.
A rare set of functional art furniture that can be used in many settings. See less