Traditional Qing Style Chair with Hidden Drawer, 1700s

This chair, dated to the Qing dynasty and crafted in the Ning style, is a genuine piece of history, a tangible symbol of a culture and tradition that shaped the daily life of ancient China. In an era where social hierarchies were extremely rigid, this chair was not just a simple piece of furniture, but a representation of the status and importance of those who sat on it. In China, chairs were reserved for people of higher rank, used by the eldest members of the family or offered to esteemed guests.

Made from fine hardwoods like rosewood and padauk, materials known for their hardness and resistance to corrosion, this chair is built to last. The woods used, now rare and expensive, give the chair unparalleled beauty and durability. Its square-section legs, solid and well-proportioned, offer stability and refinement, adding a touch of geometric elegance to the overall design. But what truly sets this piece apart is its construction, based on the traditional mortise-and-tenon technique. This method, which does not require nails and rarely uses glue, relies solely on the connection between the tenon and mortise—a perfect balance of yin and yang, according to Taoist philosophy.

A distinctive feature of Ningbo style is its use of color, often characterized by red lacquers that, while applied to the surface, still allow the wood grain underneath to show through. This gives the furniture a unique visual depth, while the use of decorative techniques such as carvings or inlays adds an additional layer of sophistication. The chair is enhanced by a hidden drawer beneath the seat, a detail that adds both functionality and charm. This drawer is decorated with a painting depicting the Monkey King, or Sun Wukong, a well-known literary and religious figure who is one of the main characters in the famous 16th-century Chinese novel "Journey to the West." This painting not only enriches the aesthetic of the chair but also tells a story, evoking images of ancient adventures and legends.

Every detail of this chair reflects the culture and daily life of Imperial China, a testament to the respect for tradition and craftsmanship that has made Chinese furniture famous worldwide. Owning this piece means not just having a piece of furniture, but a piece of history—an artwork that tells stories from a distant and fascinating era.