Ruler
As everyday objects, rulers are produced to be purely functional and have little ornamentation. This ruler, with its low relief carving, incising, and application of lacquer staining, has been embellished with an array of decorative enhancements. Darkening the incised lines and staining the negative space, the application of lacquer creates a wonderful contrast to the lighter bamboo wood.
This ruler has ten segments on each side. In each segment there is a small vignette pairing an animal with ornamental rocks, such as deer, turtles, cranes, and fish. Rocks and these animals were considered auspicious symbols.
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