Square Stool, Light Elm autumn The butterfly is a symbol

The butterfly is a symbol of happiness in a marriage for the Chinese and as such is often seen on painted Chinese cabinets and chests that were made to be given as part of a wedding settlement

as well as valuables often stored in hard to reach or 'secret' sections inside

In our wonderfully tactile rustic elm finish

The artist's 'chop' is also still visible towards the top left of the cabinet

cube shaped blanket chest could also be used for storing towels in a bathroom or as a bedside table

Square Stool, Light Elm autumn The butterfly is a symbolStools and higher level seating were in use throughout China from as early as the Tang dynasty over a thousand years ago, unlike in other Asian countries, where people continued to sit on the floor centuries later. They were not seen as an inferior type of seating and were used by all levels of society. By the Ming dynasty a design had appeared with 'horse hoof' feet and a 'waisted' top that remained largely unchanged and extremely popular for several