Carpenter's Inkline Reel

Given the beauty and thoughtful design of traditional Chinese furniture, it’s no wonder that Qing-dynasty carpenter’s tools were accorded the same attention to detail. This remarkably intact 19th-century inkline reel was hand carved from northern elmwood with flowing, sculptural lines that belie its practical function. This ingenious tool was used to mark straight lines, incorporating a winding wheel that unraveled across an inkwell, marking thread as it was unwound. The inked thread was then drawn across a measured surface and anchored by a stickpin to stamp a straight guide line. Once an essential component of a Chinese carpenter's toolkit, this reel lives on as a storied sculptural object.