Page 209 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art London Nov. 2019

157

158 Y TP
A HUANGHUALI ‘MEDITATION’ STOOL
Qing Dynasty
Of mitered, mortise and tenon frame construction
with a beaded edge, the frame enclosing a mat
seat, above a narrow waist and simple apron, all
supported on legs of square section joined by
humpback stretchers and terminating in hoof feet.
63.5cm (25in) square x 34.5cm (13 1/2in) high.

£9,000 - 12,000
CNY80,000 - 110,000

清 黃花梨羅鍋棖加矮老禪凳

Stools of this design were meant to allow the sitter to
sit cross-legged in meditation, represent one of the
most reproduced forms in Chinese furniture. Wang
Shixiang in Connoissuership of Chinese Furniture:
Ming and Early Qing Dynasties, vol.1, Hong Kong,
1990, p.174, notes that soft-cane seats are not
only ergonomic, adjusting subtly to the changing
movements and weight shifts of the sitting human
form, they also allow air flow; hence they were
favoured in the areas of Suzhou and Guangzhou
from the Ming dynasty onwards. See for example, a 158
related huanghuali stool, late 16th/early 17th century,
illustrated by Grace Wu Bruce, Living with Ming:
The Lu Ming Shi Collection, 2000, p.70, no.9.

Compare with a related huanghuali meditation
stool, 17th century, illustrated by S.Handler,
Austere Luminosity of Classical Chinese Furniture,
Berkeley, 2001.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.