Royal Imperial Office Chair

The Royal Imperial Office Chair can be referred to as the 'Imperial Palace Chair'. Below is an introduction covering its origin, design, historical development, craftsmanship, and differences from ordinary round-backed chairs:

• Origin: The Imperial Palace Chair, also known as the Imperial Palace Throne, is a highly decorated round-backed chair with a footrest, crafted based on the Ming-style round-backed chair. It originated during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty to meet the decorative needs of the imperial court.
• Design: The overall design features a round top and square bottom, with an outer round and inner square shape, aligning with the traditional Chinese concept of 'heaven is round and earth is square'. The chair's armrests form a crescent shape, often adorned with carved scroll patterns at the ends. The backrest is typically S-shaped and constructed using a three-section frame design.
• Historical Development: The prototype first appeared during the Ming Dynasty, but it was during the Qing Dynasty that it truly took shape and became an exclusive seat for the imperial court. During the Kangxi period, armchairs specifically crafted for the royal family emerged, borrowing the smooth curves of round-backed chairs, with higher backrests and more elaborate decorations to suit imperial court etiquette. By the Qianlong period, with the country at its peak of power, imperial furniture production reached its zenith. The design of the Imperial Palace Chair matured, often featuring carved cloud or kui dragon patterns on the backrest, bow-like inwardly curved armrests, and inward-turned hoof feet. The overall appearance was solemn yet agile. Originally exclusive to the emperor and adorned with dragon and phoenix carvings, it later entered civilian life as society developed, with a wider range of carving themes. It was often crafted from precious woods such as Pterocarpus santalinus.
• Craftsmanship: Its artistic value lies in its unparalleled craftsmanship. In terms of wood selection, the Qing imperial court favored hardwoods like rosewood and huanghuali, with craftsmen choosing materials based on their characteristics—rosewood for deep carving and huanghuali for highlighting natural grain patterns. Carving techniques were the essence, with the Imperial Workshop gathering master craftsmen from north and south, developing techniques such as 'relief carving on a flat surface', 'pierced carving', and 'inlaid precious stones'. A typical Imperial Palace Chair required dozens of processes, with carving dragon scales alone potentially taking a craftsman several months.
• Differences from Ordinary Round-Backed Chairs: The Imperial Palace Chair is essentially a deluxe version of the ordinary round-backed chair, with the biggest difference being the addition of a waist mold and a footrest. The waist mold is a recessed line below the chair's seat, while the footrest is a component that supports the legs, serving to elevate the legs off the ground.