Pair of Chinese Elm Armchairs with Red Lacquer. Circa 1870.A super pair of Chinese elm armchairs of good patina, with original red lacquer. This pair of armchairs each consist of a non-protruding top ''yoke'' rail with shaped side supports and curved back splat to the centre, with decorated centre panel leading down to a pierced and open carving. The centre panel with figures portraying deity and family life, decorated in red lacquer with gold flake. The rounded arms shaped to help to emphasize the size and openness of the chair leading down to the solid elm seats of excellent patina. The lower frame with carved decorative aprons in traditional Chinese geometric open-work, and original red lacquer finish and gold highlighting. Footrest and stretchers below matching the overall design. This chair design contrasts solid structures with open spaces that gives a sculpted quality common in early Chinese furniture and repeated through history. The high back design symbolises pros...