Deceptively simple, this early 20th century stool from Shanxi province shows off the ingenious joinery methods used by traditional Chinese carpenters. The stool's three splayed legs are supported by stretcher bars that interlock at the center in a star formation. Not only does this provide stability, it adds a sense of balance and design intrigue to the otherwise simple form. The tri-leg stool is crafted of northern elm (yumu) and finished with a thin layer of dark brown lacquer, now faded along the round seat and stretchers from years of use. A ubiquitous part of daily life, a rustic stool such as this would have been used throughout the home for casual seating, indoors and out. Additional Dimensions: Diameter of Seat: 9"