Chinese Rectangular Stool with Woven Seat

A pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty style stools (or side tables) from the mid-19th century, with humpbacked stretchers, horsehoof feet and waisted aprons. The stools (sometimes called thinking stools) feature a square top with central board, sitting above a waisted apron. Each stool is raised on four straight legs with horsehoof feet, connected to one another through a humpback stretcher on all sides. Boasting a rich dark oxblood patina, these stools or Ming style side tables...

This elegant calligraphy table is a superb example of a piece of "scholar's furniture". In the Chinese furniture tradition, the most graceful pieces frequently date back to the Ming Dynasty, when scholars and wealthy collectors preferred designs of utmost simplicity and purity. This table is waist-less and has no extraneous decoration at all. Known as a painting table, it was used for calligraphy, usually copying famous poems on paper scrolls that were laid lengthwise on the surface. The "giant's arm" leg braces, which are beautiful to look at, provide additional support. The legs taper into horse hoof feet. The black natural tree lacquer finish is extraordinarily well-preserved and has not been refinished at all. This piece is a rare "furniture fossil", completely original and unrestored. There are of course areas of rubbed and worn lacquer, minor scratches, burn marks (from oil lamps) , and some gouges and dents but they have been evenly distributed over the years, creating a warm and ancient patina. At the floor, the legs are noticeably lighter; this is due to minerals in the moist tile floor, naturally leaching up into the leg, discoloring it. This is much sought after by collectors seeking the oldest and most original Chinese pieces...

This monumental manuscript cabinet is from Rangoon, Burma and made from teak wood, lacquer, and gold leaf. This manuscript cabinet features its orig...

This brightly ornamented antique Korean chest once contained blankets and clothing given as part of a marriage dowry. The distinctive feature of ...

This is a classic example of a “Beijing” or Tianjin” sideboard, so-called because of their origin in this region of northeastern China. This compact chest has three drawers with two ...

This elegant small coffer, features a floating panel top sitting above three drawers, each and fitted with boldly-scaled rectangular brass hardware and a curved handle. Beneath the drawers is a floating panel, which conceals interior storage, accessible only by removing one of the drawers. Our eyes are immediately drawn to the carved archaistic spandrels (inspired by a dragon) that decorate the sides and give the piece its distinctive profile. With its refined proportions design aged black lacquer patina, this middle Qing Dynasty will be a unique focal point in any room. This is a very old piece and remarkably, almost unrestored. The legs have suffered water damage from placement on the moist terra cotta floor...

The top of this stool was woven with incredible care by a skilled artisan who used thin strips of hide to create multiple patterns in the seat, including stars. The hand-hewn stool w...

The fang deng, or square stool, form was popular for its simplicity and utility in the home. The simple legs, stacked edging, sinuous braces, and rattan top make this a particularly ...

Lightweight and portable, stools were popular in Qing-dynasty homes for their simplicity and convenience. These elegant 19th-century square stools have beautifully worked frames featuring rounded edges, humpback stretchers, and ruyi-form fretwork finished with dark lacquer. Each top is inset with a hand-woven seat, providing textural contrast to the graceful elmwood frame. Used as seats or low side tables, this pair of square stools...

Chinese Qing dynasty rosewood carved stool with rose marble inlaid seat. The intricate carving contrasts beautifully with the round rose marble i...

A Chinese reddish brown lacquered stool from the early 20th century, with bamboo seat and pillar strut motifs. Created in China during the early years of the 20th century, this wooden stool features a rectangular top with bamboo seat, resting above a pierced apron adorned with pillar strut motifs. Raised on four straight legs connected to one another through side stretchers, the stool boasts a nicely weathered patina. With its clean lines and rustic presence, this Chinese wooden stool...

It is unusual to see an early 20th-century Chinese round stool designed to be adjustable. The artisan who created this inventive stool hand-carved the cylindrical center post for eas...