Antique Garden Stool with Pierce-Work Designs, China (16780ZLSE) SPECIAL PRICE

Description

The top design on this stoneware garden stool is a simplified open narcissus with a white and yellow center; it is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Below are intertwined double lozenges, followed on the lowest register of by white octagonal shapes and ending with a low orange-yellow rectangle pierced in the center. A lozenge (fangsheng or caisheng) is a homophone for victory (sheng) and a protective sign for casting out demons. It is also one of the Eight Treasures or Auspicious Objects (babao). The Chinese word for eight (ba) is a verbal pun for the word “expand” (fa), so the octagonal shape of the stool and the white octagonal designs are auspicious symbols meaning to “expand in wealth.”  The blooming flowers above the double lozenges also symbolize prosperity. Most Chinese antique garden stools were made in traditional drum or barrel shapes using common ceramic designs: decorative fretwork, low relief decorative objects, very simple pierced schemes, underglaze painted images, calligraphy and other design elements. Few were hexagonal with innovative piercings creating double designs on its positive and negative space. In addition to being decorative, pierced openings on stools reduced the likelihood of defects caused by excess heat during firing in kilns, increasing production costs greatly. Openings and cutouts also ensured airflow through objects to allow natural and faster cooling after firing and make seats more comfortable, especially in summer heat. Stool tops were normally convex and often included a cutout on top allow cooling and water drainage and prevent pooling. There are many reproductions and contemporary garden stools but antiques like this in excellent condition have glaze drips, wear consistent with age and use and minimally faded colors but are often heavier and well-built with more ornate design details

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