Unusual Meditation Chairs, Chanyi, 19th/20th Century

An unusual pair of meditation chairs, Chanyi, 19th/20th century, possibly 'Huanghuali', the back an elegant plain frame, the slender arms supported at right angles on straight front posts, the large square seat above humpback stretchers with pillar-shaped struts, the legs of circular section with squared inner corners joined by the stepped stretcher frame and footrest, (2), 85 cm high, 77 cm wide, 77 cm deep. Literature: A prototype of this chair dated to the 17th century was sold 'Important Chinese Furniture, Formerly the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture Collection', Christie's, New York, 19 September 1996, lot 93, For a history of the meditation chair, see Wang Shixiang 'Masterpieces from the Museum of Classical Chinese Furniture', p. 72