The Ming-style Baibao-Inlaid Armchair is exquisitely crafted from the luxurious and dark-toned rosewood. The horn-shaped backrest exhibits a sense of pride and vitality as it twists and turns. The four sturdy legs extend directly from the seat and firmly touch the ground. The gracefully curving armrests provide a smooth and comfortable touch. Beneath the seat, there is a straight toothed panel, and the legs are adorned with high-quality decorative fittings. The three-curved back panel is meticulously carved from flawless rosewood. Its surface is polished to a deep and lustrous sheen, and embellished with the Baibao-inlay technique.
Baibao-inlay, commonly known as "Zhouzhi," is believed to have been created by a Ming-era artisan named Zhou Zhu. It involves the use of precious materials such as green jade, agate, jadeite, ivory, mother-of-pearl, carnelian, gemstones, gold, amber, coral, and crystal to carve the desired shapes. By leveraging the natural color variations of these materials, a colorful composition is created, achieving a decorative effect. The back panel of this piece features a composition of horn, agate, white jade, jadeite, and other gemstones, skillfully carved and inlaid in a freehand style to depict floral and bird motifs. The composition is elegant, the carving is meticulous, and the color combination is clever, resulting in a vivid and lively depiction. Not only is the inlay technique impeccable, but the artistic style of the composition rivals that of ancient masters, as if the carver's knife has replaced the brush, creating a masterpiece of natural beauty.
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Won the Gold Award at the 8th China Arts and Crafts "Baihua Award"Featured in the 2014 Beijing Poly Autumn AuctionSelected by the Palace Museum for use in the Jianfu Palace, 2017