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Vintage Chinese Suanpan Abacus, Hardwood, Bamboo and Brass

Vintage Chinese Suanpan Abacus, Hardwood, Bamboo and Brass

Regular price $55.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $55.00 USD
Sale Sold out

Two beads above the bar and five below is the older Chinese layout, and it exists for a practical reason. The traditional weight system ran sixteen taels to a catty, so a merchant needed to count to fifteen on a single rod, which is exactly what this configuration gives you. The brass corner brackets are a quality detail cheaper examples skip.

Dimensions
12.5 in. L 6 in. H 1 in. D
Surface
Original surface, darkened from handling. The reverse reads lighter than the front from decades of front face use, which is typical and not a repair
Primary Material
Hardwood frame
Period
Vintage
Date
Circa 1900 to 1950
Origin
China
Style or Movement
Traditional Chinese merchant abacus
Also Known As
suanpan, counting frame, Chinese abacus
Maker, Mark, or Attribution
Unmarked workshop piece. Absence of a mark is normal for this category
Construction or Technique
Thirteen bamboo rods in a hardwood frame, two beads above the divider bar and five below on each rod, original string binding, brass corner brackets and edge plates
Secondary Material
Bamboo rods, turned wood beads
Hardware or Mounts
Brass corner brackets and edge plates
Configuration
13 rods, 2 to 5 bead layout

Complete and sound with all rods and beads present and running freely. Original string binding in place. Honest patina and genuine wear throughout, heaviest on the front face. Frame joints tight, brass fittings secure. Please review all photographs closely, as they form part of this description.

Shipping & Returns

All antique and vintage items are shipped from our warehouse in Bluffdale, Utah. Each piece is carefully packed by hand using archival materials and custom crating when necessary.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the size and weight of the item. Local pickup is available at the AMD Warehouse.

Furniture is the exception. Because of size and weight, furniture shipping is quoted separately rather than calculated at checkout. Send a DM on Instagram or email austynmariedesign@gmail.com for a quote, or arrange your own shipping from the warehouse.

All sales of antique and vintage items are final due to their unique, one-of-a-kind nature. Illuminé candles and The Collector's Guide may be returned within 14 days of delivery if unopened and in original condition.

If your piece arrives damaged, please photograph the damage immediately (including packaging), contact us within 48 hours at austynmariedesign@gmail.com, and do not discard any packaging.

Read the full return and shipping policy

Important Info About Antique & Vintage

Every antique and vintage item we carry has lived a life before arriving in your home. These are not factory-made products. They are objects with history, character, and the marks of time.

Age-appropriate wear, patina, minor imperfections, and signs of previous use or repair are inherent to antique and vintage items and are not considered defects. These characteristics are part of what makes each piece unique and are often what give it its beauty and value.

We describe the condition of each piece as accurately as possible in the listing. If you have specific questions about a piece before purchasing, please reach out. We are always happy to provide additional photos or details.

Colors may appear slightly different on screen due to monitor settings and photography lighting. We do our best to represent each item accurately.

Descriptions, dates, attributions, materials, and measurements are provided in good faith and reflect our best assessment based on research, physical examination, and the information available to us. Antique and vintage pieces often carry incomplete or unverifiable histories. Where a detail is an assessment rather than a confirmed fact, it is identified as such. Measurements are approximate. All items are sold as-is, with the photographs and condition report governing.

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