A Folding Stool

Materials and Date

Huanghuali wood, 17th century

H

52cm (20¼in)

W

58cm (22¾in)

D

48cm (19in)

Full Description

This folding stool is a fine example of this classical form. The design comprises of 4 legs that are hinged together and tenon into floor stretchers at the base and a front and back seat frames on top that have a woven seat between them. To complement the simplicity and fluidity of the design, all of the surfaces are left plain except for the carved rectilinear friezes of confronting dragons on the outside edges of the seat frames. The metal mounts at the apex of the legs, joins of the legs and stretchers and on the footstool are of baitong (yellow brass) with cloudhead designs and some simple pierced decoration. This stool belongs to a relatively small group of full-size huanghuali folding stools. Moreover, it belongs to a rarer variant whose legs are made from rectangular section legs rather than round.

Folding stools are one of the oldest forms of furniture in China. The basic form is said to have entered China from the nomadic tribes in the west as early as the 2nd century and was referred to as a hu chuang (foreign or barbarian seat). Together with the Buddhist “dais” or preaching platform, the folding stool has been credited with spreading the concept of raised seating through Chinese society. Folding stools have remained a popular form throughout Chinese history and were often associated with military expeditions, hunting and the exotic outings of the very wealthy. As such, folding stools, especially full-size huanghuali examples were viewed as symbols of rank and importance.

Provenance:

Private Collection, CA.