Vintage Black Sandalwood Abacus With Gilt Mounts & Gemstone Inlay

Details

Description

This is an elegant and finely crafted vintage Chinese abacus (suanpan), made from black sandalwood (hei tan mu) with a … Read more This is an elegant and finely crafted vintage Chinese abacus (suanpan), made from black sandalwood (hei tan mu) with a rich, dark finish.

The abacus features a traditional design with a wooden frame and rods holding dark, rounded counting beads. The corners of the frame are reinforced with ornate, cast gilt-brass mounts decorated with scrolling floral and cloud motifs. The side of the frame is further embellished with a prominent, oval green gemstone (likely faux jade or glass) set in a decorative gilt metal bezel.

The abacus was traditionally used as a calculating tool for trade and commerce, and is also a popular symbol of wealth, prosperity, and "calculating every penny" (jing da xi suan) in Chinese culture. This substantial, handcrafted piece makes a beautiful decorative accent for a desk, shelf, or as part of a collection of traditional Chinese objects.

Dimensions:

Length: 28 cm (approx. 11.02 inches)

Width: 5 cm (approx. 1.97 inches)

Height: 3 cm (approx. 1.18 inches)

Weight: 280 grams (approx. 0.62 lbs) See less