Horseshoe Armchair, Warm Elm Abacus Simple folding stools were seen

Simple folding stools were seen very early on in China's history - the first recorded stools being from the Han dynasty almost two thousand years ago

pale finish

this piece still has the same attractive tapered profile and panelled doors

our black lacquer blanket boxes use proper dovetail joints and the distinctive circular brass hardware and red tassel give it a strong oriental style

like our warm elm version

Horseshoe Armchair, Warm Elm Abacus Simple folding stools were seenThis version of our horseshoe armchair is in our 'warm' finish, chairs like this one were symbols of status in Ming dynasty China. Known also in Chinese as 'Grand Tutor Chairs' (taishi yi), they were used initially at court and by high ranking officials. They later became more common but were still reserved for the most important visitors members of a household. One of the most recognisable of Chinese designs, the chairs feature a beautifully curved