@sothebys: A folding chair fit for royalty. This huanghuali armchair, one of the rarest chairs in the world, is coming to #SothebysNewYork as part of our Asian Art auctions. Folding chairs with horseshoe-shaped backs represent a uniquely Chinese invention of the early 12th century and a decisive advance in furniture design. Before long, the “jiaoyi” chair had risen to ascendancy as a symbol of status and grandeur. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the jiaoyi had come to represent the seat of the highest-ranking individual in an assembly, the proverbial ‘throne’ of a scholar-elite. This chair is the star of the upcoming Huanghuali for the Scholar's Studio sale on 25 March. It’ll be on view at our 945 Madison Avenue galleries from 19 – 24 March. Tap our link in bio to learn more.