19th C. "pencil case" w/ abacus etc

This is an extremely unusual little collectible box made from zitan. It contains of bottom and hinged lid. Both are carved out from one piece of wood - and most likely also the bottom and lid iare cut from same piece little piece of wood. Simply splitted into the two parts. The bottom contains a water basin for brushwashing, three small compartments for seals and seal paste, one for an duan inkstone with water basin - and this inkstone seems to be the original one - it is not removable due to the shrinkage of the wood. Next to the inkstone is a room for ink cake - this is formed as an inkstone itselfand a from the famous inkmaker Xiu zhu Zhai (signed with the name and followed by "zào) - enhenced in goldl

The lid is divided in two rooms. One is emty, the other is holding an abacus. The sticks are made from bamboo and the rings are made from wu mu (ebony tree). One ring is missing.

It has not been possible to trace any similar piece in the reference literature - and we know about no other examples in any private or public collection.

It is reasonable to imagine that this item has beeb made for a merchant who could carry it with him on his business travel writing out the invoices immediately - but who knows? Only the fantasy setup limits for the purpose of this very interesting object.

A great treasure in a small and handy format - with a lot of fasinating history.

Most likely the piece is from the late Qing periodsay 19th century to judge from the brass mounting.

Item no. 003

Price € sold

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Available photos:

"pencil case" when closed | "pencil case" when opened, position 1 | "pencil case" when opened, position 2 |

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