Vintage Chinese Wooden Abacus 13 Rods with Brass Corners

Hidden Treasures on the Brick Road 10003 270th St NW, Stanwood, wa 98292 Open Fridays 1-4pm & Saturdays 1-6pm (Closed 6/14/2025) Step back in time with this beautifully aged 13-rod Chinese abacus, a functional relic of traditional arithmetic. Crafted with dark hardwood, lacquered black frame accents, and original brass corner plates, this vintage piece is as decorative as it is educational. Product Details: Type: Chinese suanpan abacus (9 rods) Materials: Wood frame, wooden beads, brass reinforcements, bamboo rods Design: 9 vertical rods with 7 beads per rod (5 lower, 2 upper), standard for traditional base-10 calculations Era: Mid-20th century (estimated based on construction and wear) Length (inches): 11.00 Width (inches): 1.50 Height (inches): 7.00 Condition: Good vintage condition with visible signs of use and character, minor surface wear and paint loss, particularly along edges and corners, structurally intact with all beads and rods moving freely Determining Age: Wooden Frame with Brass Fittings: The use of solid wood and metal reinforcement (brass or brass-plated corners) was common in abaci made between the 1930s and 1960s. Earlier models (pre-1900s) typically used finer joinery, no metal, and more delicate materials. Painted or Lacquered Finish: The black paint or lacquer on the frame is worn in a way that suggests age consistent with several decades of handling—more than just 10–20 years, but not likely over 100 years old. Machine-Made Beads and Rods: The beads and rods appear to be turned uniformly, likely by machine, which points to 20th-century manufacturing rather than hand-carved 19th-century examples. Suanpan Layout (2:5 Bead Configuration): The layout of 2 upper beads and 5 lower beads per rod is traditional and remained mostly unchanged through the centuries, but the size, material uniformity, and sturdiness suggest it was made for practical use in schools, offices, or homes during the post-war manufacturing boom (circa 1940s–1960s), especially in China and Taiwan. Patina and Wear Patterns: The wood shows oxidation, edge rounding, and finish wear consistent with decades of use. The brass has tarnished naturally, which usually takes many years. Fastener and Joint Aging: There are small gaps, mild shrinkage of wood, and minor looseness at the joints—typical signs of aging in wood items from the mid-century era. Mass Export Era: During the 1950s–1970s, many such abaci were produced for export or educational use, especially from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Your abacus fits the style and build typical of that period.