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Chinese Abstract Cloud Carpenter Line, c. 1850

$588
£452.93
€517.19
CA$838.79
A$917.48
CHF 481.47
MX$10,972.61
NOK 6,076.17
SEK 5,668.33
DKK 3,862.45

About the Item

Given the beauty and thoughtful design of traditional Chinese furniture, it’s no wonder that Qing-dynasty carpenter’s tools were accorded the same attention to detail. This remarkably intact 19th-century inkline reel was hand carved from northern elmwood with an exuberant cloud motif that belies its practical function. Used to mark straight lines, this ingenious tool runs a thread across an inkwell as its drawn across a measured surface. Anchored by a stickpin, the thread is then stamped to create a straight guide line. Once an essential component of a Chinese carpenter's toolkit, this reel lives on as a storied sculptural object.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Width: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
  • Style:
    Qing (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Elm,Iron,Lacquered
  • Place of Origin:
    China
  • Period:
    Mid-19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    c. 1850
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BJC097C1stDibs: LU820012999262

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