故事
Garment Hanger
An Ancient and Timeless Design
Some archaeologists date the hanger back to 750 years BC. They pre-existed the evolution from floor level mat living with low furniture to raised level living with first the chair and other raised furniture following, and their design has remained relatively unchanged over several thousand years.
Adapting the post and rail structure from domestic architecture, long straight top rails are supported by equally slender legs and broad feet, creating this perfect alliance of form, function and fine craftsmanship as portrayed in this hanger.
Given the absence of built in wardrobes and hanging space in Chinese architecture, rather than folding the day’s robes for and placing them in chests and cabinets, it was common to use these hangers, which ensured robes were uncreased for use the following day. Garment hangers were important pieces of furniture.
This Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 ) woodblock print reveals a lady’s room with the garment hanger with integral shoe rack seen to the left.
There is a wonderful pictorial representation of a part of a hanger in use in the home of a wealthy elite. The painting is on a silk scroll, and is a 12thC copy of a 10thC painting.
The black lacquered garment hanger is clearly visible behind the day bed. The red silk garment is heldin place by a top rail with uplifted ox horn ends, as in this red.
The sublimely elegant garment hanger is one of the most ancient forms of Chinese domestic furniture, with visual representation on woodblock prints and paintings and burial chamber clay tablets.
Elaborate carved décor can be seen in some upturn ends and in the mid rail partition. Ends can be carved as dragons, or the lingzhis (the fungus of immortality), both of which are deeply fortuitous in Chinese iconography.
Shown are examples of upturned ends in the form of a gold painted red lacquered dragon and black lacquered dragon with fret work. And the pierced carving from a partition reveals an elegant scroll like black lacquered dragon. All carvings are from garment hangers featured within The Fitzsimmons Collection.
The principle structural variation in hangers is the inclusion of a shelf for shoes, as in this example. This necessitates a different design for the foot, which combined with the shelf itself creates a more robust and stable design.
The greater robustness of hangers allows for more elaborate decorative carved themes with complex lattice work and iconography. Some even view these hangers as works of art.
These garment hangers’ form and function continues to evolve through history as a decorative and practical piece of bedroom furniture. Having lived in Hong Kong for almost 20 years, and for 16 years in the UK, I really understand how practical a hanger if for seamless Chinese garments as well as Western attire. Clients use them to hang a wide array of clothing, from pashminas, scarves, ties to trousers.
