A Rare Square Stool

Materials and Date

Huanghuali wood, 17th century

H

46cm (18in)

W

49cm (19¼in)

D

49cm (19¼in)

Full Description

Similar to the earlier pair of zitan stools (cat. # 2) the design of this stool is essentially a stylized interpretation of classical bamboo furniture construction. However, in contrast to the design seen earlier, this is a more literal interpretation. Here the legs are beautifully carved in a “bundled-bamboo” style inspired by the idea of 4 pieces of bamboo tied together to create a thicker, stronger leg. All of the stretchers and struts are made from slender rounded members creating a complex rhythmic structure that manages to balance linearity and roundness, mass and emptiness perfectly.

Provenance :

Private Collection, UK.