Black wood Xingong chair with gourd-pattern openwork (Qing Dynasty)

The back of the chair has a crest rail shaped like the head of a ruyi scepter, with openwork scroll patterns along the pillars and inner edges. The openwork carving on the back panel depicts flourishing gourds. The lower edges of the armrests are turned inward into hollowed-out hooks, held together with short tenons. The seat is grooved and inlaid with a panel to create a flat surface. There is a recessed waistband beneath the seat, and the apron's lower edge is adorned with scrolling cloud patterns. The straight legs are secured to the apron with mortise-and-tenon joints. There are plain cross-braces with no ornamentation between all four legs, and lower braces on the front legs. Floral patterns have been carved into the inwardly turned feet.