Q: I inherited an old antique Chinese dragon chair. Is it a true period piece or a reproduction? Value? I know that my uncle owned it since at least the 1960s, possibly longer.
A: Let's clue readers that dragon chairs feature a serpentine high-relief carved dragon across the back. On ornate chairs, the beast design extends beyond the back and onto the arms and legs. The fanciest chairs are carved on all surfaces and are very intricate.
The theme dates back to B.C. eras when dragons were the symbol of imperial power and only the emperor was allowed to sit in a chair embellished with a dragon.
The chairs generally have rounded armrests and backs and are usually seen in dark hardwoods, often stained mahogany.
Fast forward to the late 1800s, when China was the mysterious Far East and beginning to open to a few Westerners. From that time through the age of the Grand Tour of travel, all things Oriental fascinated a rising bourgeoisie.
And what could be more exotic than a dragon chair? There, in one decorative object, was the exotic Far East. To feed consumer clamor for Oriental design, boatloads of the chairs were produced for export to Europe and especially America.
The chairs are made to this day, so technically there are no repros, only older to newer and new chairs. The truly antique are another story.
Thinking about value in Chinese antiques, it's important to remember that China is an ancient culture.
Today's market reality is that serious collectors - many are from mainland China - want only the best of their culture, and that means old, authentic pieces made for the domestic market, not export.
A new economic powerhouse, China has a new class of serious collectors with deep pockets who call the shots on prices for artifacts of their past. And at this point, they seek only the purest and the best.