-40%
ANTIQUE JAPANESE WOOD ABACUS SOROBAN 19TH Century Meiji Period
$ 21.11
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
Meiji Period (1868-1912) Wood Mutsudama Style Japanese Abacus Soroban. Very beautiful in its construction, small details, and the signs of use one beholds and admires.Measurements: 11.25 inches by 4 inches
Upper deck (Heaven): 1 bead
Lower deck (Earth): 5 beads
Columns: 13
Digit Markers: From farthest left, every other row has a dot mark. Row 8-13 have Kanji marks.
Material: Beads are made of boxwood, Frame is more than likely oak.
Handmade: Yes
Joinery: Yes. Corners have mortised corners
The little poles are made of metal - not sure type of metal
There is very faint and indistinguishable writing in black on back.
This Soroban style is an open box with closed back. Often times this style was used by merchants. The way the object is designed it stays horizontally upright at a gentle tilt. I read online how these were used but alas math was never my strong suit.
Condition: Some wood loss on one end. With a piece missing on either side close to first column. With that being said, there is no chance of beads in column detaching. It is secure. The end without its end missing is a bit lose. Handle carefully. Long ago someone wrote on back ORIENTAL COUNTING BOARD (maybe a soldier in the Pacific during WWII picked it up). The piece has heavy dust - I gently tried to get into areas very carefully. Several beads have some heavier marks on them.
TERMS OF SALE: I accept returns within 30 days of buyer receiving the item. Item must be returned and buyer is asked to pay for return shipping.
SHIPPING: USPS Priority Mail with Tracking
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