CHINA, LATE 17TH CENTURY

The design of the present stool was inspired by a humble bamboo stool prototype. The abundance of bamboo made it popular among the lower classes, as a cost-effective and more easily portable alternative to the more luxurious huanghuali furniture. Stylistic features such as the wraparound stretchers, stacked seat frame and the round section legs directly reference the construction technique of bending lengths of bamboo using steam and heat. This construction technique inspired the furniture makers of the Ming dynasty to re-purpose its techniques and appearance in more precious materials, such as huanghuali.

A pair of larger 17th-century bamboo-inspired huanghuali stools with double stacked seat frame and wraparound humpback stretchers is illustrated by N. Grindley et al., Pure Form: Classical Chinese Furniture: Vok Collection, Padua, 2004, pls. 14-15.