Ancient Chinese Abacuses for Prosperity and Money Multiplication
These ancient wooden Chinese abacuses come from Thailand, where such objects are traditionally kept on altars of fortune and in some businesses as a symbol of prosperity, business success, and money multiplication.
Originally genuine calculating instruments, Chinese abacuses have also acquired a particularly strong symbolic dimension in Asia. Each movement of the beads evokes progressing accounts, successful transactions, and accumulating wealth. Placed on an altar or in a business, the abacus thus becomes an ancient symbol of financial good fortune.
The offered examples are ancient and naturally show marks, patinas, and signs of use related to their age and history. Woods, colors, and metallic elements may vary between pieces.
Among the photographed examples is a Chinese abacus from Wuhan bearing the Red Lion brand, 紅獅牌, and the inscription 東風算盤廠, corresponding to the Dongfeng Abacus Factory. This type of marking allows its manufacture to be situated approximately between 1966 and 1982, with a probable dating in the 1970s.
Another example bears the inscription 天津市戰斗文具廠, corresponding to the Tianjin "Combat Stationery" factory. This very characteristic name from the Chinese Cultural Revolution period likely places its manufacture between the late 1960s and the 1970s.
These abacuses thus combine several histories: that of their manufacture in China, that of their use as calculating instruments, and then that of their preservation in Thailand as auspicious objects associated with commerce and prosperity.
Features:
- 📜 Province: Origin China
- 💫 Benefits/powers: prosperity, commercial success, good business, abundance, and symbolic multiplication of money
- 📐 Dimensions: 35 cm X 28 cm
- ⚓ Weight: Approximately 900 grams
🧧 An ancient witness to Asian commerce, the abacus reminds us that prosperity is built grain by grain, count by count. Kept on an altar of fortune, it becomes the symbol of wealth that circulates, grows, and constantly returns to its owner.