Brochure - Chairs, Benches and Stools

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The first known evidence of the seat in China is an engraving of a stool on a bronze vessel dated to the Eastern Zhou period (770B.C. – 221B.C.).  However, it is not until the 2nd century A.D. that the first written record of the seat appears.  This was of a folding stool and was clearly a symbol of high status in a society that conducted most activities seated on mats.

The stool held its position of prestige until the Song dynasty (960A.D. – 1279A.D.) when Chinese society adopted the widespread use of chairs as the preferred form of seating.   An individual’s social position could be determined with senior people taking chairs while more junior members of the household sat on stools

Chairs were made in different styles and designs, the main forms being the circular or horseshoe back armchair, the so-called “official hat” armchair and the side chair.

The horseshoe back armchair is so called because of the shape of the top rail that curves round to form the armrests.  This chairs role in society was largely ceremonial, being the seat of honour.

The Guan Mao Yi or “Official’s Hat” chair is so called because the crest rail is said to resemble the tapered ends of the hat worn by certain officials during the Song dynasty.  While the resemblance is more apparent in chairs where the rail protrudes beyond the chair uprights, the name has been applied across a wider range of chairs.

Side chairs are similar to official hat chairs except that they do not have arms.  This design made them popular at banquets and being light in weight meant that they could be easily moved around the house.  The yoke shaped crest rail has led some to describe them as “yoke-back” chairs.  Others see the crest rail extending beyond the support and call them “hanging lantern” chairs.

Many other forms of chair exist in China, including folding versions.  Chinese chairs are often used as dining chairs, however the plain style and clean lines of Ming style chairs makes then suitable for any setting in the Western home.