Chinese Small Elm Stool - Ca 1940

This traditional Chinese elm stool dates to around 1940 and originates from Shanxi Province in northern China. Handcrafted from solid yumu elm using traditional Chinese carpentry techniques, it features a thick, gently shaped seat supported by four sturdy, splayed legs, joined by simple wooden stretchers for added strength.

The beautifully weathered surface reveals the natural grain of the elm, with a soft, timeworn patina developed through decades of use. The slightly irregular contours of the seat and visible traditional joinery give the piece an appealing sense of authenticity and individuality.

Its particularly low proportions suggest that it may originally have been intended for a child, although small stools of this kind were also commonly used for everyday household tasks in rural Chinese homes.