chinese stools - apartment therapy facinates again!!!

for the last few years, barrel-shaped ceramic stools have been a popular decorating accessory, adding luster, color or texture to a space while serving as little side tables or room accents. but where do they come from, and where were they traditionally used? okay, the answer is in the title of the post: they come from China, and they were traditionally used in gardens. read on to learn about the fascinating origins of this familiar form.

believe it or not, barrel- or drum-shaped garden stools have been used in China for at least 1,000 years. they may have evolved out of the Buddhist garden tradition, where natural elements like tree stumps and smooth rocks were used as seats.

traditionally, Chinese homes were built around a courtyard, and with an emphasis on landscape and gardens, so outdoor furniture was essential. by the Song Dynasty (960-1279), these types of stools were used both indoors and outdoors as casual seating  indoor stools were typically portable and made out of wood, while outdoor furniture, to withstand the elements, began to be made out of stone, glazed stoneware, or porcelain.
the antique stools that are still extant tend to be from the late Ming Dynasty — early 17th century — and later, and they have a range of decoration, including fretwork, relief decoration, and pierced motifs. one common decoration is simulated nailheads, often around the upper and lower parts of the barrel form. the nailhead motif is left over from ancient Chinese drums, which had wood bodies with skins stretched over each end and affixed with nails. although they've been around over 1000 years, in the USA they have gained popularity only in the last and current century.

you can find stools locally at thomasville, ethan allen and other fine furniture stores.  or on line at www.wisteria.com and www.chinese-furniture.com.