Abacuses from China
Object No. H8739
These two Chinese abacus or suan-pan have been an important tool for merchants for at least 700 years. They are a quick means of counting goods being bought and sold, and of calculating the cost. Abacuses often had the owner's trading name on the back. One of these abacuses was used in Sydney in about 1900. The owner's name is partially obscured. The legible character 'Wing' means 'forever'. Several Sydney businesses used this word in their name, such as Wing On and Company, Wing Wah and Company, Wing Hing Tiy and Wing Sang and Company.
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Summary
Object Statement
Abacuses (2), timber / bamboo / metal, maker unknown, probably China, c. 1900
Physical Description
Rectangular wooden bead-frame abacuses with parallel rods vertical to the base on which beads slide up and down. Frames are divided with a wooden length separating the beads into groups of two and five. Each has thirteen rods of wooden beads. -1 Two of the rods are metal and are held in place by a nail and washer at either exterior end. -2 Has bamboo rods. Chinese characters on the base.
PRODUCTION
Notes
Place and date of origin as per collection documentation form.
HISTORY
Notes
Stock Book states that abacus found in Sydney. Stock Book states that objects transferred from Australian Museum.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Australian Museum, 1969
Acquisition Date
1 September 1969
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