Chinese Yoke Back Side Chair with Rattan Inset Seat

The top rail curves up at both ends like a pair of raised eyebrows.

This yoke back side chair with rattan inset seat comes from Hebei Province, China, and is contemporary, made of lacquered elm wood and rattan. The yoke-back form, named for a crest rail that resembles an ox yoke, is a classic of Chinese seating going back to the Ming dynasty, and is sometimes called an official's hat chair. A tall, plain splat runs up the back to the curved crest rail. The square seat holds a woven rattan panel framed in dark lacquered elm, with shaped aprons below and low stretchers. It is 20.5 inches long, 17.5 deep and 43.25 high.

Upright, formal and not about to slouch on anyone's behalf.