Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Chinese Hardwood Scholar Tray with Brass Mounts, Late Qing Dynasty

About the Item

A simple and elegant Chinese hardwood and brass mounted scholar tray, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The scholar tray crafted of a solid and heavy densely figured hardwood of dark reddish brown color, and features an inset floating panel. The corners reinforced with brass fittings shaped as stylized clouds or lingzhi. Each side features a brass fitting in the form of an endless knot. The endless knot is an auspicious symbol in Chinese culture. As one of the Ashtamangala, or Eight Auspicious (Buddhist) Symbols, the endless knot represents the intertwined nature of wisdom and compassion. In secular Chinese culture, the endless knot symbolizes love and luck. The scholar tray is an essential component of the scholar studio and desk. Called a ducheng pan in Chinese, these types of trays were both utilitarian and decorative. They were used to easily carry calligraphic utensils, as well as to display precious objects.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.25 in (3.18 cm)Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)Depth: 9 in (22.86 cm)
  • Style:
    Qing (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Brass,Hardwood,Joinery
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1900
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. The underside with some remnants of felt pads.
  • Seller Location:
    Austin, TX
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU894725406772

More From This Seller

View All
Chinese Carved Hardwood Scholar's Tray, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A sophisticated Chinese carved and pierced hardwood scholar's tray, Qing Dynasty, 19th century, China. The tray of rectangular form with high sides and rounded corners. The sides...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Bronze Scholar Vase with Taotie, Ming/Qing Dynasty, 17th century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A small and interesting cast bronze archaistic scholar vase with loose ring handles and taotie mask design, late Ming or early Qing Dynasty, mid 17th century, China. The small vase of archaistic hu form, and cast with archaistic designs. Sitting on a tall splayed ring foot, the round body is cast with a large band featuring a ferocious taotie (ogre) mask. The taotie mask in this case id decidedly feline, with a ruyi shaped snout above a whiskered mouth. Two flanges stick out to either side of the mask, reminiscent of ears. A wide, tall neck rises from the body, terminating in a slightly everted mouth. The archaistic cast design on the neck is not as clear, but most likely represents Fusang, a mythical island in the Eastern Sea where the legendary Fusang tree grows. The Fusang tree, home to the mythical Sun Bird...
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Bronze Chilong Garlic Head Scholar's Vase, Qing Dynasty, 17th C, China
Located in Austin, TX
A small and lovely Chinese cast bronze garlic head scholar's "chilong" vase, early Qing Dynasty, Kangxi period, late 17th century, China. The elegant vase of beautiful proportion...
Category

Antique Late 17th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Carved Longyan Wood Stand, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
An exquisite late Qing dynasty display Stand of longyan wood, carved as a miniature "kang" table. The center panel features an amazing grain that delights the eye, while a soft glo...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Fruitwood

Pair of Chinese Huanghuali Nesting Trays
Located in Austin, TX
A refined and elegant pair of huanghuali nesting trays. An exotic hardwood, huanghuali (which translate to "yellow flowering pear wood"), has long been prized in China. These trays would originally have graced the desk of a scholar and aided him in his scholarly pursuits. The larger tray features a wonderful golden hue, and a prized "ghost face...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese White Nephrite Jade Melon Shaped Teapot, Late Qing Dynasty, China
Located in Austin, TX
An extremely fine Chinese carved white or very pale celadon nephrite jade melon-form teapot, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900 or earlier, China. The elegant teapot carved as a squat me...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Jade

You May Also Like

Chinese Qing Dynasty MOP Inlaid Hardwood Scholar's Seal Stand, 19th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese Qing Dynasty Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Hardwood Wood Scholar's Seal Stand, 19th Century An exceptional 19th-century Chinese scholar’s seal stand or brush rest, finely crafted f...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Qing Dynasty Burl Scroll Pot 'Scholars Pot', China
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Qing dynasty (1644-1911) burl scroll pot (Scholars Pot), China.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Wood

Pair of Antique Late Qing Dynasty Elmwood Scholar's Chairs with Sinuous Back
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of antique late Qing Dynasty elmwood scholar's ceremonial chairs from the early 20th century, with dark patina and sinuous back splats. This pair of antique late Qing Dynasty ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Side Chairs

Materials

Elm

Large Zitan Huanghuali Hardwood Brush Pot Bitong, Qing Dynasty, China
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large Zitan Huanghuali hardwood brush pot bitong, Qing Dynasty, 18th century, China Measures: Height 12 diameter 12.75 in.
Category

Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Zitan

Large Chinese Export Carved Soapstone Foo Dog Scholars Seal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinese export carved soapstone foo dog scholars seal, nicely carved, in two color soapstone, with large seal at base.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Scholar's Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Antique Chinese Scholars’ Incense Tray of Coconut Wood
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Unusual Chinese Scholars’ Incense Tray, beautifully crafted of wood covered in a parquetry of small pieces of coconut wood in a “Cracked Ice” pattern, small footed base with flared rim with beaded edge. Complete with a Japanese Collectors’ wood storage box labeled: “Chinese coconut...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Wood, Coconut

Recently Viewed

View All