Late 19th Century Pair of Wooden Paperweights With Mother-of-Pearl Eight Treasures Inlay

Details

Description

This is an exquisite pair of long, rectangular wooden paperweights (or rulers), featuring intricate mother-of-pearl (nacre) inlay work. Crafted from … Read more This is an exquisite pair of long, rectangular wooden paperweights (or rulers), featuring intricate mother-of-pearl (nacre) inlay work. Crafted from a dark, richly grained hardwood with a deep reddish-brown patina, the solid, bar-like forms are heavy enough to serve as functional paperweights or decorative desk accents.

The top surface of each piece is beautifully decorated with a series of individual motifs representing the traditional "Eight Treasures" (or Eight Immortals' attributes). These auspicious symbols—including a sword, a lotus flower, a fan, a gourd, castanets, a flute, and a flower basket—are meticulously cut from iridescent shell in shades of white, pale pink, and vibrant green, and are tied with flowing, multi-colored ribbons. The natural grain of the dark wood provides a striking background that makes the iridescent shell artwork stand out beautifully.

These substantial, elegant objects serve as stunning decorative accents for a desk, bookshelf, or collector's display.

Dimensions (Per Piece):

Length: 40 cm (approx. 15.7 inches)

Width: 5.3 cm (approx. 2.1 inches)

Thickness: 3.5 cm (approx. 1.4 inches) See less