Chinese Jiali Chair

The back rail sweeps around in one long curve and finishes at each end with a little upturned scroll.

This Jiali chair comes from China and dates to the 20th century. Its horseshoe back, in which the crest rail and armrests form one continuous arc, goes back at least to the Ming dynasty and remains among the most recognizable forms in Chinese seating. A plain, slightly curved splat supports the arc at the center, and curved posts hold up each arm. The square seat has a recessed panel, with shaped aprons below and a single low stretcher at the front. It is 22.5 inches long, 17.5 deep and 30 high.

It looks as though it has been waiting with open arms.