Chinese Qing Dynasty Carved Bamboo Wrist Rest with Poem Inscription #5385

width: approx. 5.3cm (2 3⁄32in)
length: approx. 19.1cm (7 33⁄64in)
weight: 73g
condition: shows signs of insect damage and age-related wear, see photos.

This is a bamboo wrist rest from the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), carved with an excerpt from a classical tea poem attributed to the Tang dynasty Daoist Lu Dongbin. The inscription reads “duàn sòng shuì mó lí jī xí zēng tiān qīng qì rù jī fū,” which expresses the idea of banishing drowsiness and worldly distractions through tea, and inviting a refreshing clarity that permeates the body. The phrase embodies the spiritual purity and mental clarity highly valued by literati. The surface also features a delicately carved flower, enhancing the piece's refined and contemplative aesthetic. With its natural curvature and fine craftsmanship, this object was not only a practical writing aid but also a representation of scholarly taste and Daoist philosophy.