Wrist Rest

In China, access to political power was granted to those who passed the civil service examinations, a system that offered official service only at a high level of education. Chinese literati-officials, whose daily routine involved administrative work in an office, enjoyed precious objects on their writing desks that offered distraction and demonstrated good taste. By the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, these utensils of the literati studio also became collectibles and were treasured as artworks. The front of this jade wrist rest is carved with a design of a pine tree, clouds, and a crane of immortality holding a branch of lingzhi fungus in its mouth. The raised rectangular boss on the back of the wrist rest is inscribed.