Minneapolis Institute of Art

Bench

China

Date

18th century

Medium

Red bean wood, plant fibers

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This elegantly proportioned, well-crafted bench, while small, could still probably accommodate two sitters at the same time. It is fashioned in the standard corner-leg or waisted style with legs terminating in horse hoof feet. The frame is constructed of red bean wood, a rare, extremely dense and heavy material that provides exceptional strength. Stools, like Chinese furniture in general, had their own hierarchy based on height, shape, material, and decoration. After large square and rectangular seats came a variety of round stools appropriate to informal occasions and persons of lesser rank. A low bench such as this, because it is designed to seat more than one person, would have ranked near the bottom of the stool hierarchy. Because of its soft seat, however, it would have been more prestigious than a simple plank seat trestle bench, which would have been reserved for children and servants. China, Asia

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