PROPERTY FROM A WEST COAST PRIVATE COLLECTION A Rare Pair of Huanghuali 'Rose Chairs' with 'Cracked-Ice' Decoration17th/18th century Unusually modelled after bamboo chair prototypes, each with a short rectangular back and sides inset with slanted spindle posts forming 'cracked-ice' or ' wan ' design, the framed seat fitted with soft mat and secured by stretchers underneath, all supported by simple column legs further framed with bamboo-form stretchers and supports, the wood of rich caramel color and attractive patina. 33 1/4in (84.5cm) high; 22 1/4in (56.5cm) wide; 18in (45.8cm) deep (2). 十七/十八世紀 黃花梨玫瑰椅一對 Provenance: From a West Coast Private Collection 出處： 美國西岸私人收藏 Bamboo is a readily available, versatile material for everyday life in China. Chairs made of bamboo appeared in paintings as early as Song dynasty. Bamboo also symbolizes humbleness and honesty, the characteristics highly appraised by the literati class in the Ming and Qing, hence mimicking bamboo by using luxury material such as huanghuali wood may reference the philosophy and showcasing the fine craftsman at the same time. A pair of similar huanghuali 'rose chairs' with frames and spindles carefully carved to imitate bamboo is illustrated by Jacobsen and Grindley, Classical Chinese Furniture in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts , Minneapolis, 1999, pp. 66-67, no. 15, described as late 17th-early 18th century. See also the 'cracked-ice' decoration as central penal on a clothes rack, illustrated by Jacobsen and Grindley in the same publication, op. cit. , pp. 162-163, no. 56, described as late 17th century. A pair of very similar huanghuali 'rose chairs' with 'cracked-ice' design was sold at Sotheby's New York, 3 June 1992, lot 334.