Pair of rare mid-19th century Chinese elm wood horseshoe back quanyi chairs. Each with a U-form crestrail. Each with a carved and bowed paneled splat decorated with a ruyi panel above a panel with a Buddhist lion flanked by pierced fretwork. With newer caned seats and high-arched stretchers. It is unusual to see hardwood chairs with carvings such as this. Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, "Fine Chinese Ceramics, Furniture and Works of Art," November 29 & 30, 1995, Lot 349; The collection of Bruce Dayton and Ruth Stricker Dayton - Selections from The Marsh, Minnetonka, Minnesota. Each, height: 39 in x width: 26 3/4 in x depth: 21 in.

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