The folding chair is the quintessential Chinese chair in its design and history which can be traced in Chinese paintings as early as the 16 century. It has always been a chair for the emperor or a general or an important guest. The Chinese name is jiao yi, folding chair. It is a convenient mode of seating outside the confines of a house. This pair is made of huanghuali - a highly priced furniture wood and other hardwoods. The chairs are good copies of 17 century chairs. The chairs are a collaboration between the woodworker and the metal smith. There is a lot of handwork involved. Each segment of the chair was hand carved and polished. When the wood parts were finished then they go to the metal smith for the brass ornaments, and finally the assembly. The chairs are surprisingly comfortable.

cleaned and restored, and the metal pieces polished. There is a small crack on one of the arms but it has been restored.