"CHF-58 (明代雕鳳帶藤面小櫸木椅）This is a wonderful small lady's side chair made of Ju wood (櫸木) with excellent carving of a phoenix on a single-board splat back and with the very rare original finely woven rattan seat that is still in very good condition. One can see the old weaving of the bamboo is woven intricately with a pattern. Early Chinese furniture piece with the original bamboo woven seat is very rare, especially with the old bamboo rattan still in such good condition. The Feng (鳳) bird is beautifully carved in vivid expression with wings extended as the bird getting ready to fly. There are also carved auspicious clouds around the bird. Ju wood is among several other wood types outside of the Chinese hardwood group such as Huanghuali and Zitan that can be traced back with the real examples that show the excellent design, style, and workmanship from the 17th century and the early Qing period. This chair is in its original unfinished condition with wonderful old wood patina. The dimensions of the chair is not available for the moment but it is a small chair made for a southern Chinese woman possibly to be used in her room. The bird, Feng, the ancient mythical bird, also represents a female with the highest respect in Chinese culture.

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