Wood Jiali Chair

The crest rail is textured at its center, the only flourish on an otherwise plain-spoken chair.

This Jiali chair is from the Primitive Collection, dating to the 20th century, in sand blasted elm wood. Traditional Chinese furniture relies on mortise-and-tenon joinery rather than nails, so frames of this kind hold together by the fit of their parts. The arc of the back curls into scrolled hand rests, carried on curved posts, with a broad splat at the center. The seat is a square frame around a recessed panel, and arched aprons and low stretchers tie the legs together. The elm is a light brown with pronounced grain. It is 22.5 inches long, 17.5 deep and 30 high.

Well made, and in no need of ornament.