Minneapolis Institute of Art

Meditation Stool

China

Date

17th century

Medium

Huanghuali hardwood

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Meditation platforms evolved from Chinese antiquity as honorary seats of rulers, sages, and important members of society. The importation of Buddhism in the second century, with its focus on meditation, created a new demand for wide, elevated platforms that could accommodate a person seated in the meditative lotus position. The basic design of this large, square stool is inspired by bamboo furniture. Certain stylistic features inherent in bamboo construction are carried over into the hardwood frame. Imitating bamboo, all members of the stool are round. The round corners of the seat frame and leg-encircling stretchers that appear to wrap around each leg are a direct reference to bamboo furniture wherein single lengths of bamboo would have been bent and wrapped around all four legs with the aid of steam or heat. The simplicity of design seen here is appropriate to the purity, clarity, and humility of meditation. China, Asia

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