Stool, 17th century, 20 3/8 x 22 13/16 x 18 1/2 in. (51.75 x 57.94 x 46.99 cm), Huang huali hardwood, China, 17th century, This richly carved waisted stool, because of its relatively elaborate detailing, would have been reserved for a person of high social standing. The legs, for instance, are carved with a continuous corner bead terminating in a stylized leaf motif in each of the feet. There is an elegant lip carved with a motif on two sides of each leg just below the humpback stretchers. A raised ruyi head lappet design is also carved into the shoulder of each leg and the waist itself is set off with a bead course along the rail and a continuous step-back molding around the four rails of the seat frame. The overall effect is one more sumptuous than that of a standard corner-leg stool. It is also possible that a rectangular shape, because of its more formal directional aspect (versus round or square) may have been considered more prestigious.