Wood Jiali Chair

A dark finish, and a back splat whose grain runs in rings like a cut log.

This Jiali chair from the Primitive Collection dates to the 20th century and is made of sand blasted elm wood. In traditional Chinese households, armchairs were generally reserved for the head of the family or honored guests, while others made do with stools and benches. The horseshoe-shaped crest rail flows down into the armrests, ending in small scrolled hand rests. The splat shows a bold oval figure in the grain, and the sandblasted surface raises the grain across the seat and frame. Arched aprons and low stretchers brace the legs. It is 22.5 inches long, 17.5 deep and 30 high.

Seating of honor, no ceremony required.