This pair of elegant 19th-century elm wood chairs embody Ming-dynasty design with simple form yet complex construction. The chairs are an unusual blend of traditional tall yoke-back chairs and square low back armchairs, and each bears a ruyi symbol carved into the back splat, symbolizing knowledge. The ends of the top rails turn gently upwards and the arms are strongly curved - characteristics that emphasized the high status of the official for whom the chairs were originally made.