Throne and footstool with lotuses

Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
Throne
Ipe (Zitan)
Palace Museum

• The throne is made of heavy, high-quality wood with a smooth, round shape that is comfortable and durable. The entire throne is adorned with naturalistic motifs of lotus flowers, leaves, stems, and lotus roots.
• The seat is square with a slightly rounded center. Below the seat, there is a constricted waist, and the legs are full and decorated with bulging and inflated carvings known as drum legs and bulging teeth, accompanied by mud braces.
• The backrest and armrests are designed in a seven-panel style and are installed using movable tenons. The whole throne is luxuriously decorated with lotus flowers and lotus leaf patterns. The upper part of the backrest, known as the "brain" section, features a thick crosspiece carved into a lotus leaf shape, with the carving being smooth and well-rounded.

Figure (1, 2): Photo by Sara Tse