This sophisticated and elegant set of four arm chairs were realized in the United States by the great Angelo Donghia circa 1985. They represent a reinterpretation of the iconic horseshoe chairs that were invented during the Ming dynasty (1368 -1644) in China and popularized throughout the 19th Century. The chairs are characterized the semicircle formed by the arms and back rail, coupled with a tapering S shaped side post. Here, this iconic form has been reduced by Donghia to its essence. It offers none of the traditional embellishments, and offers the reduced lines of modernism, while still retaining a subtle allusions to its Chinoiserie roots. The chairs have ebonized walnut frames composed of seemingly a single snaking cylindrical piece that wraps around the exterior of the frame creating the legs and back. The open form bases are attached via two rectangular cross slats, and the back is composed of an austere rectangular slat. Finally, the volumetric rectangular seat has been newly reupholstered in a rich smoked graphite velvet replete with a gauffraged curvilinear pattern. With their clean modernist lines and graphic silhouettes, these chairs would be a winning addition to any style of interior from Classic Mid Century Modern to contemporary. The chairs would be perfect for a dining room, a game table, or split up as side chairs throughout an interior space. They have been newly reupholstered and restored to mint condition.

American, circa 1985

Dimensions:

Height: 33 in. (83.82 cm) Width: 26.5 in. (67.31 cm) Depth: 21.5 in. (54.61 cm)

Seat Height: 21.5 in. (74.93)

Style: Modern (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques: Velvet, Walnut, Ebonized

Place of Origin: United States

Period: 1980-1989

Date of Manufacture: Circa 1985

Condition: Excellent, Reupholstered & Refinished

Reference Number: LU793439852622