Chinese carved bamboo wrist rest

This wrist rest is carved in low relief of an official and his attendant in an architectural setting. The carving is well executed with precise line incising. It has an overall reddish brown patina and a slight blackish stain from ink on the official's hand and just above it. The underside shows approximately the same patina, while the cut edges have darkened with use. As an essential item for the scholar's table this piece remains in good condition with its original patina from use. Purchased in a Chapel Hill, North Carolina estate in the early 1980s.

Length: 10 ¼ in., Width: 2 ¾ in.