Chinese Carved Hongmu Hardwood Drum Stool – Rosewood, Mid 20th C

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A beautifully sculptural mid-century drum stool carved from hongmu-class hardwood, a dense rosewood-family timber favored by China and Hong Kong … Read more A beautifully sculptural mid-century drum stool carved from hongmu-class hardwood, a dense rosewood-family timber favored by China and Hong Kong workshops during the 1950s–1970s. Unlike the lighter bent-rattan or hollow bamboo versions, this piece is carved entirely from solid hardwood—including the faux “binding” rings and curved members that form the openwork lattice.
The weight alone signals its quality. The circular top sits over a continuous network of carved supports that create the classic drum-form silhouette with crisp lines and excellent proportion. Warm finish, elegant presence, and the kind of construction associated with the better mid-century export workshops. A refined accent stool, plant stand, side table, or sculptural decorative element in both traditional and modern interiors.

COLLECTOR’S NOTE
Openwork drum stools were produced in several tiers during the mid-20th century. Most were bent from rattan or bamboo, creating lightweight decorative versions. The superior workshop models—like this one—were carved from hongmu or other dense rosewood-family hardwoods, a process requiring far more labor and skill.
Carving the imitation “binding” rings and curved openwork from solid timber produces the substantial weight and sculptural feel that distinguish the better examples. These premium carved hardwood stools were made in smaller quantities in China and Hong Kong and remain increasingly sought after for their craftsmanship and durability.

JUNE'S THOUGHTS
When I first lifted this stool, I actually paused—how can something this size be so heavy? A closer look answered it: every curved section, every ring, every joint is carved from solid hongmu hardwood, not bent rattan or built-up laminations. Once you notice that, you start seeing the piece differently. It feels like a small architectural sculpture—warm, dense, beautifully made, and quietly impressive.

THE PRINCIPAL'S PERSPECTIVE
From an investment standpoint, this stool represents the stronger end of mid-century Chinese and Hong Kong hardwood production. Most stools of this silhouette are rattan or hollow bamboo—nice visually, but not long-term pieces. Carved hongmu, by contrast, is denser, more durable, more costly to source today, and materially aligned with rosewood-class timbers valued by collectors. The fully carved construction and substantial weight place it in a smaller, higher-grade category that holds value well. At $1,200, it represents a thoughtful decorative investment: a sculptural, functional object with long-term stability, rarity, and intrinsic material worth.

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