Lot 5717

Description

China, Qing dynasty, Chinese made abacus, as type known as a suan pan (with two beads over five), these examples have 13 and 15 columns for calculation, larger one has a small plate in Chinese on edge. Very fine. (2)

The abacus is also called a counting frame, is a calculating tool and perhaps the oldest continuously used calculating tool aside from fingers, the abacus is a masterpiece of power and simplicity. Abacuses were widely used in Asia and Europe for centuries, and remain common today.