Contemporary Woven Bamboo Seat Wooden Stool

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Stools are the mainstay of seating in China. Most of us are unfamiliar with the Chinese Sumptuary Laws. They have … Read more Stools are the mainstay of seating in China. Most of us are unfamiliar with the Chinese Sumptuary Laws. They have been in existence since the Han Dynasty 206 BC to CE 220. In simple words, Sumptuary laws were a part of the hierarchical structure of that society. The laws governed the size of dwelling, the type of furnishings one could have based on one's status in society. Until the Ming Dynasty, chairs with backs and side arms were only allotted to high monks and important officials. Common people sat on stools and the working poor found squatting to be relaxing.

I found this stool in a furniture market in a Pearl River Delta town south of Guangzhou (Canton) in early 2000's. It was the only one. I am not sure if it was a prototype or a copy of an earlier design. I could not pinpoint the exact features, but whether it was intentional or not, I could see influence of art deco all over the stool. The maker has placed great details on the legs and the interesting geometric design formed by the stretchers, lending support to the legs (this geometric design can be found on other Chinese furniture.) The open apron and the legs are made to resemble bamboo furniture The seat is covered by a tightly woven bamboo mat and the outer rim is made of several pieces of specially cut wood to form a circle. T he wood grain resembles that of elm, and why is the color a dark brown in contrast to the black legs? I surmise it is done for a purpose, to give the stool a more "antique" look. See less