The dealer who sold us this chair, A.G. Manheim, who was an old-time high-end antique dealer on Royal Street in New Orleans, (where my wife is from). Manheim believed it to be made of rosewood, yet Albert Sack suspected it to be a much denser wood, such as lignum vitae. Sack also thought it was of Caribbean origin because its level of extremely fine carving and workmanship is not normally found in later Chinese work. Manheim, however, believed this chair to be of Portuguese origin. I believe Manheim was correct.
The work is truly fabulous with the shell carved into the crest as well as carving into the back splats. Note that this chair has beautifully turned stretchers holding acanthus legs with claw and ball feet. This chair is an absolute tour de force, and I had to take it home to Rhode Island.
Height: 34 in. Width: 28 in. Depth: 28 in.
Revised March 9, 2026 11:13 pm