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  • Short Backed Southern Officials Hat Armchair - 19th Century

    Short Backed Southern Officials Hat Armchair - 19th Century

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    Trade & Wholesale

    Our origins are in wholesale, so from movies to restaurants, retailers to architects, we have a long history of supplying our trade clients with unusual and unique oriental furniture & decorative art. 

    Whether purchasing for resale or buying on behalf of a client, we offer trade discount pricing to:


  • Retail Stores
  • Interior Designers
  • Film & Photo Studios
  • Architects
  • Event Producers

  • For all trade and wholesale enquiries please email us with your contact and business name, company registration number & VAT number (if applicable) to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

    Prop Hire

    Looking for that one off iconic piece for an event or requiring props for a filming or a photography shoot? You will have seen our oriental antique furniture & decorative art in the James Bond films, The Golden Compass and many others.


    For all prop hire enquiries please send emails to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

    Short Backed Southern Officials Hat Armchair - 19th Century

    SKU:M551

    £825

    This antique Chinese armchair is from Shanxi. This style of chair is called a Southern officials hat chair or writing chair. They were regularly used by poets, painters & scholars. The style originated in Jiangsu in central China and spread northwards, hence the usage of the term 'southern'.

    They are usually made from elm (yumu) or red elm (jumu), but examples made in walnut are also found in North China. This particular chair is made from walnut with a Northern elm (yumu) seat. Originally it would have been coated with a burgundy lacquer to protect it from wear which has subsequently worn in places of heavy use. 

    They were made in pairs and it is very rare to find larger sets however an attractive harlequin set can be made from different pairs.

    Hat chairs were usually placed on each side of a wine or tea table and can be seen depicted in ancestor portraits and Chinese pith painting scenes.

    Similar examples can be found in many books on Antique Chinese furniture including 'Chinese Furniture' by Mazurkewich - Fig 92 & 98.

     

     

    From China

    UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £40
    More delivery options available at checkout

    Dimensions: W57 x D44 x H95 cm


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    £825
    1
    1

    Free UK Delivery on orders over £100 

    Use code 'Delivery' at checkout

    In Stock - In Our Wiltshire Showroom

    Dimensions: W57 x D44 x H95 cm


    Free UK Delivery on orders over £250 

    Use code 'Delivery' at checkout

    In Stock - In Our Wiltshire Showroom

    Shipping & Warranty

    • Guaranteed authenticity on all antique pieces (where dated)

    • Every item is in stock in the UK

    • We'll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date

    • Hassle free returns

    • Free Click & Collect available on all pieces


    This antique Chinese armchair is from Shanxi. This style of chair is called a Southern officials hat chair or writing chair. They were regularly used by poets, painters & scholars. The style originated in Jiangsu in central China and spread northwards, hence the usage of the term 'southern'.

    They are usually made from elm (yumu) or red elm (jumu), but examples made in walnut are also found in North China. This particular chair is made from walnut with a Northern elm (yumu) seat. Originally it would have been coated with a burgundy lacquer to protect it from wear which has subsequently worn in places of heavy use. 

    They were made in pairs and it is very rare to find larger sets however an attractive harlequin set can be made from different pairs.

    Hat chairs were usually placed on each side of a wine or tea table and can be seen depicted in ancestor portraits and Chinese pith painting scenes.

    Similar examples can be found in many books on Antique Chinese furniture including 'Chinese Furniture' by Mazurkewich - Fig 92 & 98.

     

     

    From China

    UK Delivery Charge - except Highlands & Islands £40
    More delivery options available at checkout


    Shipping & Warranty

    • Guaranteed authenticity on all antique pieces (where dated)

    • Every item is in stock in the UK

    • We'll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date

    • Hassle free returns

    • Free Click & Collect available on all pieces


    Trade & Wholesale

    Our origins are in wholesale, so from movies to restaurants, retailers to architects, we have a long history of supplying our trade clients with unusual and unique oriental furniture & decorative art. 

    Whether purchasing for resale or buying on behalf of a client, we offer trade discount pricing to:


  • Retail Stores
  • Interior Designers
  • Film & Photo Studios
  • Architects
  • Event Producers

  • For all trade and wholesale enquiries please email us with your contact and business name, company registration number & VAT number (if applicable) to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

    Prop Hire

    Looking for that one off iconic piece for an event or requiring props for a filming or a photography shoot? You will have seen our oriental antique furniture & decorative art in the James Bond films, The Golden Compass and many others.


    For all prop hire enquiries please send emails to enquiries@indigo-uk.com or call 01672 564722


    For full details, visit our Trade & Wholesale Page

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    DISPATCH

    • - Non-furniture Delivery: 2-5 working days

    • - Furniture Delivery: Within 1 - 2 weeks

      (We'll call you to arrange a specific delivery date)

    • Free UK mainland delivery on orders over £250 | Use code "DELIVERY" at checkout

    RETURNS

    • - Hassle Free Returns

    • - Return your order within 28 days for a full refund (excluding delivery charges)

    • - Items must be returned in a resalable condition

    • - Collections can be arranged on request

    • Product Specific delivery charges visible above "Add to Basket" button and in Checkout (scroll up)

    • Additional charges may apply for deliveries to highlands, islands, out of area deliveries and collections. 

    • International Delivery: Please contact us for quotes on individual pieces

    Shipping & Warranty


    • Guaranteed authenticity on all antique pieces (where dated)

    • Every item is in stock in the UK

    • We'll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date

    • Hassle free returns

    • Free Click & Collect available on all pieces


    DISPATCH

    • - Non-furniture Delivery: 2-5 working days

    • - Furniture Delivery: Within 1 - 2 weeks

      (We'll call you to arrange a specific delivery date)

    DELIVERY

    • - Small items: £7.50

    • - Medium Sized items: £15

    • - Fragile Medium items: £20

    • - Small Furniture items: £40

    • - Furniture & Large Items: £80

    RETURNS

    • - Hassle Free Returns within 28 days for a full refund (excluding delivery charges)

    • - If you are not happy with your order, send it back with our delivery drivers. 

    • - Items must be returned in a resalable condition

    • - Collections can be arranged on request

    • Product Specific delivery charges visible above "Add to Basket" button and in Checkout (scroll up)

    • Additional charges may apply for deliveries to highlands, islands, out of area deliveries and collections. 

    • International Delivery: Please contact us for quotes on individual pieces at enquiries@indigo-uk.com, Livechat or calling +44 1672 564722

    Free UK mainland delivery on orders over £250 | Use code "DELIVERY" at checkout

    • GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY ON ALL ANTIQUE PIECES

    • 100% SAFE AND SECURE CHECKOUT WITH SHOPIFY

    • FREE NO QUIBBLE RETURNS

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