A Carved Bamboo 'Monk and Temple Bell' Wristrest, By Aiyuan Zhuruzhen Late Qing Dynasty / Republican Period

of rectangular outline with a curved face, skilfully carved with a monk standing before a bell while holding a hammer with his right hand, below an inscription ending with the signature Aiyuan Zhu Ruzhen, the bamboo of a rich reddish-brown colour

Zhu Ruzhen (1870 - 1942/1943) was a carver born in the late Qing dynasty. He was also known by the name of the place that he was originally from, Aiyuan. In addition to his meticulous carving skills and calligraphy, he was renowned for his results in jinshi examinations.