Skip to main content
Items Similar to Chinese Abstract Cloud Carpenter Line, c. 1850
Chinese Auspicious Gourd Carpenter Line, c. 1850
Chinese Auspicious Gourd Carpenter Line, c. 1850
Chinese Shou Shoe Carpenter Line, c. 1850
Chinese Shou Shoe Carpenter Line, c. 1850
Chinese Carpenter's Inkline Reel, c. 1850
Chinese Carpenter's Inkline Reel, c. 1850
Hand-Carved Chinese Temple Carving from the 19th Century with Traces of Paint
Hand-Carved Chinese Temple Carving from the 19th Century with Traces of Paint
Antique Chinese Niddy-Noddy
Antique Chinese Niddy-Noddy
20th Century Chinese Massive Grass Chopper
20th Century Chinese Massive Grass Chopper
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Chinese Abstract Cloud Carpenter Line, c. 1850

$588
£451.56
€517.48
CA$827.76
A$927.27
CHF 482.30
MX$11,310.81
NOK 6,140.28
SEK 5,789.85
DKK 3,862.33

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

More From This Seller

View All
Chinese Auspicious Gourd Carpenter Line, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Given the beauty and thoughtful design of traditional Chinese furniture, it’s no wonder that Qing-dynasty carpenter’s tools were accorded the same att...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Mounted Objects

Materials

Iron

Chinese Auspicious Gourd Carpenter Line, c. 1850

Chinese Auspicious Gourd Carpenter Line, c. 1850

$688
Chinese Shou Shoe Carpenter Line, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
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 remarkabl...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Iron

Chinese Shou Shoe Carpenter Line, c. 1850

Chinese Shou Shoe Carpenter Line, c. 1850

$1,380
Chinese Carpenter's Inkline Reel, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Given the beauty and thoughtful design of traditional Chinese furniture, it’s no wonder that Qing-dynasty carpenter’s tools were accorded the same att...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Mounted Objects

Materials

Iron

Chinese Carpenter's Inkline Reel, c. 1850

Chinese Carpenter's Inkline Reel, c. 1850

$588
Chinese Journey to the West Hitching Post, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Created in the mid-19th century, this charming limestone post likely once stood outside a building in China's Shanxi province as a spot to hitch livestock. Carved in reference to the Ming dynasty novel "Journey to the West," the monkey atop the post depicts Sun Wukong, the Monkey King...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Limestone

Chinese Journey to the West Hitching Post, c. 1850

Chinese Journey to the West Hitching Post, c. 1850

$7,480
Tibetan Mechag Flint Striker, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
In 19th century Tibet, many men would have carried a flint striker along with several other tools that could help ensure survival in the often-harsh climate of the Tibetan Plateau. K...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Antiquities

Materials

Bronze, Steel, Silver

Tibetan Mechag Flint Striker, c. 1850

Tibetan Mechag Flint Striker, c. 1850

$780
"Winter's Edge" Chinese Taihu Scholar's Rock
Located in Chicago, IL
Sculptural and unusual stone formations have long been fixtures of the Chinese scholars' studio, displayed as sources of beauty and creative inspiration. Known as gongshi, scholars' ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Stone

"Winter's Edge" Chinese Taihu Scholar's Rock

"Winter's Edge" Chinese Taihu Scholar's Rock

$1,480

You May Also Like

Hand-Carved Chinese Temple Carving from the 19th Century with Traces of Paint
Located in Yonkers, NY
This splendid antique Chinese temple carving was hand-carved from a solid block of wood during the 19th century. On its main side it displays ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Chinese Temple Carving from the 19th Century with Traces of Paint

Hand-Carved Chinese Temple Carving from the 19th Century with Traces of Paint

$2,495
Antique Chinese Niddy-Noddy
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Chinese Niddy-Noddy. A wood skein reel, simple three-part construction, composed of a central handle with middle hand grip worn smooth squared ends with relief sectional carv...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Niddy-Noddy

Antique Chinese Niddy-Noddy

$150
20th Century Chinese Massive Grass Chopper
Located in Pomona, CA
This beautiful massive antique grass chopper has lot of metal works with wood handle on it. This chopper is made at 1939 using solid elm wood with one heavy duty blade. It was used to cut the grasses to feed horses and cows...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture

Materials

Metal

20th Century Chinese Massive Grass Chopper

20th Century Chinese Massive Grass Chopper

$1,200 Sale Price
25% Off
Wood Sculpture from Old Water Mill Gear, China 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
This wood accent piece originally served as a section of gear work from a water mill in China. Note the carved upper section that created the "gearworks." The deep worn patina of the...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Wood Sculpture from Old Water Mill Gear, China 1890

Wood Sculpture from Old Water Mill Gear, China 1890

$750
19th Century, Antique Chinese Wood Carving with Stand
Located in Sampantawong, TH
Chinese wood carving with stand Age: China, 19th Century Size: Height 22.5 / Width 50.8 C.M. / Thickness 5.7 C.M. Size including stand: Height...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Antiquities

Materials

Wood

19th Century, Antique Chinese Wood Carving with Stand

19th Century, Antique Chinese Wood Carving with Stand

$760 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Chinese Scholar Rock Lingbi Stone on Display Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
An impressive Chinese scholar Lingbi stone (also known as Gong Shi in Chinese; meditation stone and spirit rock in the West) of substantial height and mass on a carved wood display s...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Stone

Large Chinese Scholar Rock Lingbi Stone on Display Stand

Large Chinese Scholar Rock Lingbi Stone on Display Stand

$8,800

More Ways To Browse

Used Chinese Furniture
China Stamps
Anchor Line
Chinese Stamp
Antique Carpenter
Antique Chinese Stamps
Antique Reel
Antique Iron Anchor
Carpenters Tools
Carved Stickpin
Hand Blown Glass Sculpture
20th Century Modernist Sculpture
1960S Wood Sculptures
Organic Natural Wood Sculpture
Abstract Table Sculpture
1970s Bronze Sculpture
French Sculpture 1970s
Brutalist Gold
View All Popular Abstract Sculptures Searches