Left - waisted square stool with humbacked stretchers
Right - waisted square stool with cabriole legs and giant's arm braces
A stool or table is called waisted when there is a panel between the top and the skirt. This
increases the stability of the table while at the same time making the table look more fragile.
Far right - small stool - no waist
Huanghuali wood
Ming Dynasty

http://hua.umf.maine.edu/China/SMfurniture/index.html
(c) Marilyn Shea, 2006, 2007