Minneapolis Institute of Art

Clothes Rack

China

Date

17th century

Medium

Huanghuali hardwood

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The traditional Chinese house had no closets, but the Chinese clothes rack served as a temporary closet, allowing several layers of clothing to be shed or put back on with convenience. It also functioned as a way of displaying fashionable pieces of clothing. While a clothes rack was a common piece of furniture in the sleeping quarters of both men and women, only a few hardwood examples have survived. In spite of several old repairs, this stand has retained its extremely simple design. The top rail is decorated at each end with the ling-chih fungus of immortality and the central panel is comprised of the so-called cracked ice pattern. China, Asia

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