Pair of Humpback Stretcher Side Tables

The precursor to the modern “less is more” era, the Ming dynasty epitomized the moment when form and function came together seamlessly. Furniture was deliberately designed to be simple and austere to let its shape and the natural color of wood speak for itself. As beautiful on the inside as on the outside, skilled carpenters developed complex mortise-and-tenon joinery techniques that dovetailed furniture together with no nails or screws. This pair of feng deng or square stools highlights the refined, balanced flowing lines that the era is known for. Note how the legs round off in hoof feet. The top is designed with a “floating panel,” a technique that allows the solid panel to move with seasonal changes and also beautifully frames the grained inset wood.