Board game - suanpan - Wood
03
days
15
hours
49
minutes
00
seconds
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 140259 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
A single wood suanpan abacus from China, dating 1900–2000, in good condition, with a 39 cm high frame and 7 cm wide.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Authentic antique Chinese suanpan, a traditional calculating instrument formerly used for trade, bookkeeping and commercial calculations.
This long and narrow example measures 39 cm and is constructed entirely from wood. It features a dark-finished wooden frame with numerous characteristic double-conical counting beads. The beads are made from a dense, dark reddish-brown hardwood, possibly a rosewood-type wood, while the frame appears to be made from a different, lighter hardwood with a dark finish.
The traditional bead arrangement and overall construction are characteristic of a Chinese suanpan. The piece shows a beautiful naturally aged patina with visible wear, scratches, rubbed edges and colour variation consistent with long-term use and age. These traces of use have been preserved and contribute strongly to the authentic character of the object.
Probable date: circa 1880–1930
Origin: China
Dimensions:
39 × 7 × 2 cm
Weight:
Approx. 220 g
Material:
Wood, hardwood
Condition:
Good authentic antique condition with visible signs of age and use. No restoration has been carried out. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.
An attractive and decorative collector’s piece for enthusiasts of antique calculating instruments, Chinese objects and historical trade tools.
Authentic antique Chinese suanpan, a traditional calculating instrument formerly used for trade, bookkeeping and commercial calculations.
This long and narrow example measures 39 cm and is constructed entirely from wood. It features a dark-finished wooden frame with numerous characteristic double-conical counting beads. The beads are made from a dense, dark reddish-brown hardwood, possibly a rosewood-type wood, while the frame appears to be made from a different, lighter hardwood with a dark finish.
The traditional bead arrangement and overall construction are characteristic of a Chinese suanpan. The piece shows a beautiful naturally aged patina with visible wear, scratches, rubbed edges and colour variation consistent with long-term use and age. These traces of use have been preserved and contribute strongly to the authentic character of the object.
Probable date: circa 1880–1930
Origin: China
Dimensions:
39 × 7 × 2 cm
Weight:
Approx. 220 g
Material:
Wood, hardwood
Condition:
Good authentic antique condition with visible signs of age and use. No restoration has been carried out. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.
An attractive and decorative collector’s piece for enthusiasts of antique calculating instruments, Chinese objects and historical trade tools.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Number of objects
1
Brand
suanpan
Material
Wood
Model/name
suanpan
Country of origin
China
Condition
Good
Packaging
without manual without box
Height
39 cm
Width
7 cm
Estimated period
1900-2000
Sold by
