Chinese Chairs & Sofas

Chinese Chairs & Sofas embody the poise, restraint, and craftsmanship that define China’s furniture traditions. From the elegant curves of the official’s hat chair to the architectural form of Qing dynasty caned daybeds, each piece expresses a perfect balance between structure, comfort, and artistry.

Scholar’s Elegance and Symbolic Form

Chinese chairs were conceived not merely as furniture, but as objects of cultural status and refinement. The official’s hat chair (官帽椅 guān mào yǐ) and Southern Official’s armchair symbolise authority and learning — their upright posture reflecting moral discipline and social grace. Constructed with mortise-and-tenon joinery, these pieces achieve strength and fluidity without nails or screws.

Materials and Craft

Crafted primarily from elm (榆木 yú mù), red elm (榉木 jǔ mù), and walnut (胡桃木 hú táo mù), each chair and daybed reveals the artisan’s command of grain, proportion, and polish. Qing dynasty sofas and caned benches often blend lacquer, carving, and woven rattan, uniting tactile comfort with visual refinement. Export examples, made from rosewood and richly carved for Western collectors, highlight China’s global influence in decorative furniture.

Form, Balance, and Use

The Ming dynasty aesthetic prized simplicity — pieces designed to harmonise with architecture and space rather than dominate it. Their measured curves, stretcher rails, and floating panels create a rhythm that feels both meditative and modern. Today, these chairs and sofas lend architectural clarity and quiet dignity to contemporary interiors.

Restoration and Conservation

At Indigo Antiques, each example is carefully conserved to preserve original patina, joinery, and finish. Our collection celebrates the enduring beauty of handcraft — furniture that carries the calm authority of the scholar’s world and the warmth of centuries of use.