Four Hongmu wooden armchairs attributable to Li Jiren, China, Qing dynasty, late 19th century

of square line with low armrests made up of twisted volutes, characterized by circular medallions in "stone of dreams" marble placed in the center of the back, with natural veins that describe mountains enriched by inscriptions. Li Jiren, a stone carver active during the late Qing dynasty and the Republic period, was born in Wuxi and is known to have worked and lived in Shanghai. In the well-known examples of Li that appeared on the international market, it is noted how dream stones were used as inserts or tabletop screens. He often titled the marble according to the imagined subjects and signed with the name of his studio (Erquan Shanmin) or with his individual

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