Golden-Thread Horseshoe Chairs and Table Set

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A pair of horseshoe-back chairs and a table in Jinsi Nanmu, second half, 20th century. Each chair with a wide curved five-segmented crest rail and rounded terminals with pierced foliate scrolls, set on curved side posts and pierced back splat with a scrolling foliate cartouche and openwork spandrels, the rectangular seat above a short straight waist and convex shouldered apron continuing to curved legs of square section, the table ensuite; the set in shimmering 'Jinsi' (golden-thread) nanmu (Phoebe zhennan). Height 98 cm, width 76 cm, depth 50 cm, (chair)

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Pierced Decoration - Ornamental woodwork with part of the background cut through and removed to produce an open-work pattern.
Scrolls - Serpentine-shaped forms, used in cabinet construction and decoration for centuries. The scroll appears in legs, feet, as carving in chair brackets, chair rails and arms. The deeper and more spontaneous the carving is, the earlier the piece is likely to be. The Regency or 'Thomas Hope' scroll, used on pediments and sideboard backs, consists of two scrolls on the horizontal plane, placed back to back in a mirror image, and sometimes decorated with a variety of carved and/or applied ornament, such as shells, foliate and other motifs. Chippendale-style furniture is often distinguished by two corresponding scrolls in the form of a 'C' in the upper splat or where chair legs join the seat rail.
Cartouche - An ornamental panel in the form of of a shield, oval or rectangular scroll with curling edges. It may be carved into the back of a chair or the top of a sideboard, or present on a piece of silver or jewellery, and contain the initials of the original owner, heraldic symbols, or some other inscription, such as the details of a presentation.

In ceramics the term defines the central area of a vase or similar with a decorative border in one of the shapes above, into which a decorative scene or figures have been painted.
Back Splat - The vertical or horizontal piece that joins the back to the seat, or between the two sides of the chair. The back splat stabilises and adds additional strength to the back.
Rail - A term used by cabinet makers for the horizontal sections of the frame of an item such as a chair or settee which have a front rail, a back rail and two side rails, and also on a door or carcase, where the rails are joined to the vertical framings.
Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
Apron - A decorative wooden panel that sits underneath the top surface of a table or chair, and unites the top of the piece with the legs, running at right angles to the underside. On carcase furniture such as a chest or wardrobe, the apron sits below the drawers or doors and attaches to the legs.

On carcase furniture without legs the panel under the drawers or doors sits on the floor and is termed a plinth.

An apron can provide a decorative touch to an otherwise unadorned piece of furniture and at the same time provide structural support and strength. They can be carved or pierced and quite elaborate.