minaxdo references calligraphy with fenggu yuanyuan armchair

minaxdo references calligraphy with fenggu yuanyuan armchair
all images courtesy of minaxdo

based on the essence of traditional calligraphy, the ‘yuanyuan’ armchair by chinese design firm minaxdo features a smooth and elegant shape that resembles the flow of the cursive writing style. the ancient chinese scholars focused particularly on ‘fenggu’, meaning strength of character and calligraphy paid much attention to implying strong connotations amidst the flowing strokes. ‘yuan’ which translates to ‘fluent’ and ‘endless’ is an ergonomically designed armrest made from teak, rosewood. the handcrafted piece uses a mortise and tenon joint and each of the nodes represent the ‘pause’ of the calligraphy movements, giving a solid and dynamic appearance.

the key to the design is a fluent and endless looking form

the armrest is ergonomically designed and a mortise and tenon joint is used in the making of the chair

detail of the armrest

the fengfu family

creating the chair surface by hand

the armrest

craftsman creating the the back of the chair

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