Garden Seats may have evolved out of the Buddhist garden tradition, where natural elements like tree stumps and smooth rocks were used as seats.
Though mainly used in the landscaped gardens, they started to be used indoors from the beginning of the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
The material in which they were used to make these stools varied from stone, wood, glazed stoneware and later on porcelain.
Indoor stools were typically portable and made out of wood, while outdoor furniture, needing to withstand the elements, began to be made out of stone, later porcelain.
Garden Seats have versatility like no other. Some have used it simply as a decorative items, others have used it as quirky side tables. Others have added a glass top or table top over it to erect a table full of character. Its uses are as much as your imagination allows.