Minneapolis Institute of Art

Folding Stool

China

Date

16th-17th century

Medium

Huanghuali hardwood

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The folding stool is one of the most enduring forms of Chinese furniture. Introduced by nomadic tribes of the northern and western regions during Han (206 b.c.-a.d.220), the so-called Barbarian seat eventually became popular throughout China. Simple in concept, light-weight, economical, and highly portable, the folding stool had spread to all levels of Chinese society by the Tang dynasty (618-906) and is still in use today. While the folding stool was not a seat reserved for important persons or visitors within the household, its status changed during travel when officials and military officers used them for temporary seating. Folding, wooden furniture incurs heavy use and is especially vulnerable to breakage. Few decorated hardwood examples datable to the Ming dynasty have survived. Asia

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