Provincial Three Person Bench

Crafted by a Qing-dynasty artisan in northern China, this 19th-century splayed leg bench has an elegant design that fits effortlessly into the modern home. Viewed in profile, the stretchers linking each leg resemble the Chinese character for the number two, written as two horizontal strokes. Beautifully worn from a century of use, the plank top's lacquered finish has developed a smooth texture that longs to be touched.