NEW YORK CITY — A pair of Seventeenth Century Chinese huanghuali continuous horseback armchairs finished at $250,000 at Lark Mason’s timed online sale that closed on October 15.

“The pair of huanghuali chairs have a continuous crest rail that anchors into the front seat frame, unlike the majority of this type which terminate in open curved handgrips,” Lark Mason told Antiques and The Arts Weekly following the sale. “A continuous crestrail requires greater skill of the cabinetmaker, requires more material and creates a seamless sophisticated line that was adopted by Scandinavian modernist designers, including Hans Wegner. The form originates from curved bamboo chairs, but unlike bamboo which can be steamed and bent to shape, huanghuali cannot. It is formed from a solid block of wood in a curved outline, giving the illusion of flexibility. The timeless quality of Chinese Ming design furniture is perfectly captured in these chairs, which are economic in the use of material, focused on line and the beautiful huanghuali timber. The rarity, excellent design and timeless appeal make these chairs iconic images associated with Ming craftsmanship and excellence.”

Also of note in the sale was a Chinese enamel decorated porcelain imitation bronze vase, circa 1947, with the Zhong Zheng mark that sold at $91,375. The vase was part of a commemorative series numbering to 40 that were made for Chiang Kai-shek’s 60th birthday. Kai-shek was a former leader of the Republic of China and died in 1975. The work was originally a gift to Senator D. Worth Clark of Idaho and traveled by descent to current owner.

For additional information, www.larkmason.com.