Painted Courtyard Stool

Deceptively simple, this early 20th century stool from Shanxi province shows off the ingenious mortise-and-tenon joinery methods traditionally used by Chinese carpenters. The stool has a rectangular seat supported by four splayed legs linked with double stretchers and foot rests, now gently worn from years of use. Characters painted on the underside of the seat identify the original owner, who likely used the stool daily as a form of casual seating. The stool’s original red painted finish has beautifully faded to reveal the raw pine wood underneath and impart a weathered, wabi-sabi texture.

Additional Dimensions:
Seat: 13"W x 6.75"D
Leg Splay: 12"W x 9.5"D