A true collector
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Having taken a closer look at the chair, how can we explain its unusual design? Most likely, the Chinese manufacturer worked by looking at a drawing of a chair. Perhaps Van Braam Houckgeest gave the manufacturer multiple drawings, resulting in different elements from multiple styles of chairs being used. Hence the design of this particular chair.
The chair was not the only item Van Braam Houckgeest purchased during his stay in China. Besides the chair, he purchased a mirror, a few fans, and a handful of paintings. This was all part of Van Braam Houckgeest’s large collection of goods from China. In fact, Van Braam Houckgeest had the ambition to become one of the most knowledgeable Dutchmen on China.
Van Braam Houckgeest was, of course, much more knowledgeable about China than the average merchant. The embassy, which was initiated by Van Braam Houckgeest himself, gave him even more insight into China, thus adding to his authority. He had set foot in the Chinese court, and even conversed with the Son of Heaven, the Emperor of China, Qianlong, himself:
"The Korean Ambassadors and we were summoned to kneel on the left hand side of the stairs of the Imperial Throne, and the Emperor personally handed each one of us a ritual cup of wine. After this, we kowtowed to the Emperor; however, during the prostration my hat fell off, whereupon the Emperor began to laugh. He asked me if I understood Chinese and I answered ‘budong’; it seemed to amuse the Emperor that I answered him in Chinese that I did not understand Chinese."