07/31/2026
BAROQUE Contemporary | Defined by Contrast. Refined by Design.
Showroom-Quality 19th C. Japanese Meiji Period Throne Chair — Rare Yokohama Monkey & Grapevine Motif
The Ultimate Sculptural Masterpiece
Curated by Baroque Contemporary in historic McKinney, Texas, this breathtaking armchair is an authentic, investment-grade artifact from the historic Japanese Meiji Period (1868–1912). Representing the absolute zenith of 19th-century Yokohama-style export art, this commanding throne chair brings unrivaled sculptural drama and old-world grandeur to premier eclectic, maximalist, or baroque contemporary interiors.
While dragon and floral carvings from this era are more common, the intricate, playfully narrative "Monkeys in the Grapevine" openwork makes this an incredibly rare and highly coveted variant for serious Asian art collectors.
Design & Narrative Detail
• The Rare Motif Splat: The towering, pierced openwork backrest centers on an incredibly intricate, deeply undercut relief carving of monkeys winding through heavy clusters of grapevines and lush leaves. The master-level three-dimensional depth captures an extraordinary sense of organic movement and shadows.
• The Etched Dragon Medallion: The smooth, highly polished contoured seat panel features a beautifully preserved, hand-etched Imperial dragon coiling at its center, elegantly framed by a crisp geometric key-fret border.
• Mythological Presentation: Undulating, full-relief mythological Shishi (Foo Dog) lions guard the armrests with a powerful, commanding presence. The structural frame flows seamlessly down into sweeping cabriole legs, each heavily carved with expressive guardian visages terminating in scrolled feet.
• Old-World Luster: Masterfully executed in a dense, heavy, and heavily patinated Zelkova (Keyaki) or Elm hardwood, the dark ebonized finish offers a deep, mirror-like luster that catches ambient light beautifully across the high-relief surfaces.
🌟 Condition Report
• Showroom-Quality Preservation: This piece stands in exceptional antique condition with remarkable structural integrity.
• Flawless Openwork: Unlike most century-old export furniture that suffers from damage, this chair features 100% unbroken, crisp carvings with no chipped figures, missing woodwork, or past repairs.
• Wood & Frame: The dense hardwood has been meticulously preserved in a climate-controlled environment, displaying no warping, splitting, structural shrinkage separations, or grain cracks.
Dimensions & Specifications
• Height: 48 inches (Top of backrest finial to floor)
• Width: 26 inches (Across the widest point of the dragon armrests)
• Depth: 20 inches (Front of seat to rear backrest angle)
• Origin: Japan (Meiji Era, circa 1890)
• Material: Dense Patinated Exotic Hardwood
PRIVATE ACQUISITIONS
To maintain the integrity of the collection, we operate without a public showroom. Private viewings and pickup are hosted strictly by appointment in McKinney, Texas.
Private video consultations are available upon request.
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