Ming Dynasty armchair

[davidheim1]

My interpretation of a horseshoe-back armchair from 17th century China. One knowledgeable furniture-maker once told me that Chinese furniture from this period was the finest ever made. Who am I to argue? The original sold at auction for nearly a million dollars.
You can draw a direct line from chairs like this to early 20th century furniture from the Vienna Secession movement and to modern Danish design. Hans Wegner designed a chair that could be the Ming chair's great-great-great-great grandchild.
Enjoy!
dh

[tuna1957]

Awesome

[ntxdave]

Very good work sir!

[davidheim1]

Thank you, gentlemen.

[pbacot]

looks like a some modeling magic had to apply this that one. Very nice! Interesting piece. With the back bowed out like that, no lumbar support, or maybe a pillow's supposed to go there.

[nlipovac]

I got myself-thinking would it be comfy for my bum.

[davidheim1]

Nlipovac--How well padded is your bum? The seat's solid wood, although it probably came with a thin cushion back in the day.

Pbacot--Not sure about the magic, but there were a zillion little details to mind. The legs, for instance, have a very small amount of rake and splay, just enough to be a PITA.

Thanks for the comments.

[db11]

Great job David, and a very interesting piece.

It always astounds me to see the quality and craftsmanship of pre-industrial pieces like this.

But maybe one advantage that the craftsmen had in that era — at least those lucky enough to have the support of a patron, like the Emperor — is that they could take the time necessary to produce such work, without having to worry about whether they could still afford food and rent.