Wood Jiali Chair

Warm orange-brown frame, with a curved back that hugs nobody in particular.

This jiali chair dates to the 20th century. It is sand blasted elm wood. During the Cultural Revolution, from 1966 to 1976, a great deal of antique Chinese furniture was burned, confiscated or scattered, which the article says helped start the scarcity of such pieces. Horseshoe-backed chair with a central splat of pale, cathedral-patterned grain. The seat is a framed panel with a visible joint line, and the square legs are tied by box stretchers close to the floor. The finish is glossy. It is 22.5 inches long, 17.5 deep and 30 high.

Simple lines, handled with confidence.