Wooden chair set with 12 steel blades, Chinese, 1701-1900
Despite its unpleasant associations, this chair is ornately decorated with foliage, scrolls and the heads of mythological sea monsters called makara. It is made from wood with 12 steel blades in the arm, back and foot rests and seat. For many years this chair was believed to be a torture instrument, however, they were used by Chinese spirit mediums or tangki whilst channeling the spirit of a god. Sitting on the blades demonstrated the superhuman power of the god over the human flesh, which remained unharmed.
Details
- Category:
- Wellcome (general)
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A634731
- Materials:
- chair, wood and blades (12), steel
- type:
- chair