This elegant pair of chairs are made from elm wood in 'Southern Offical' style, with curved toprails and arms that meet flush with the side posts rather than projecting further. A wide backrests in a subtle 'S' shape adds to the comfort for the user and unusually, the central seat panels are level with their surrounding frames rather than being inset slightly lower. The chairs were produced in Shanxi province during the mid 19th century and are in their original dark brown lacquered finish which has worn over the centuries, particuarly on the seat edge, revealling the lighter wood beneath. A simple carving sits centrally within a curved apron adding a decorative element and below is a handy footrest, again slightly faded in parts adding to the sense of history.