Hello, this item is a pair of Chinese hardwood armchairs from the 19th century, crafted in an elegant design with carved openwork backs and marble inserts. The chairs are made of dense hardwood, likely hongmu or a similar precious timber, known for its durability and fine polish. The decorative carved motifs on the crest rails, combined with the cabriole legs and stretcher supports, reflect Qing dynasty furniture aesthetics, which balanced functionality with intricate craftsmanship. The marble panels serve both as visual focal points and as cooling elements, a common feature in traditional Chinese seating furniture.

The pair remains in excellent condition and retains their structural integrity. Comparisons with documented examples sold at Sotheby’s and other international auction houses suggest these chairs belong to a recognized category of scholar’s or official’s armchairs. Provenance and matching as a pair significantly increase their desirability, as most surviving examples appear singly. On the market, 19th century Chinese hardwood chairs of this quality typically command between €4,000 and €8,000 for the pair, with values rising when provenance is documented or when the wood is confirmed as huanghuali, which can exceed €15,000. This pair, given its condition and stylistic fidelity, would likely achieve a solid result within the mid to higher part of the standard range.