A Chinese bone wrist rest.

Carved on one side with a group of fat carp among boiling waters, on a dark wood stand carved with pine branches, signed.

Mid 20th century.

A very nice modern version of a type of 'Scholar's' object that has been around since at least the days of the Ming (1368-1644). The purpose of the object is for a scroll painter or calligrapher to rest his wrist so as to achieve a lighter touch to his painted surface than might be possible otherwise.