The bamboo of a pale yellow-brown colour expertly engraved with a charming scene of boys engaged in the activity of painting. The rest comes from an old collection, some of which was shown in London in 1999 by the eminent dealer Jan van Beers.

The rest is dated first month of Spring, geng wu year, corresponding to 1930 and signed Shan Ch’uan. A carved wrist rest by this artist is illustrated in “Chinese Bamboo Carving, Part II”, Ip Yee and Laurence C. S. Tam, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1982. Item 57, page 240.

10 inches (25.4 cm) long. Fine undamaged condition with just some very light signs of use. The engraving is very light and subtle; it suits the scene of quiet study.