Pair of Woven Top Fang Deng Stools

These 19th-century square stools from Shanxi province are elegantly crafted in the classical Chinese style with simple lines and balanced proportions. This form of square stool, or fang deng, was a versatile seating option used throughout a traditional courtyard home. Expertly crafted of northern elm (yumu) with mortise-and-tenon joinery, the waisted stools feature lacquered rattan tops (reinforced by wooden panel), elegant humpback stretchers, and straight corner legs ending in hoofed feet. A lustrous dark lacquer finish coats the wooden frames, now gently worn along the edges from years of use.

Deaccessioned from the MacLean Collection of Asian Art.