Square Stool, Light Elm d100 scenes of children at play

scenes of children at play

This beautifully simple low table in warm elm is based on the 'lute tables' used by the Chinese when seated on the floor to play musical instruments

the carving set within the centre is surrounded by scrolling dragons and depicts chrysanthemums an ancient symbol of humility

legs and supporting posts are all squared rather than rounded

Square Stool, Light Elm d100 scenes of children at playStools and higher level seating were in use throughout China from as early as the Tang dynasty over a thousand years ago, unlike in other Asian countries, where people continued to sit on the floor centuries later. They were not seen as an inferior type of seating and were used by all levels of society. By the Ming dynasty a design had appeared with 'horse hoof' feet and a 'waisted' top that remained largely unchanged and extremely popular for several