Sky Blue Forearm Rest
Kuan Ware
Northern Sung Dynasty
(A.D. 960-1126)
Length         22.5cm
      The  forearm  rest is 
a  common  item  of  studio 
furniture  whose  function 
is  to cradle  the writer's 
arm so as to ease the strain 
of holding the wrist at the 
correct height while writing
calligraphy.  This celadon 
forearm rest in the shape 
of a semicircular section 
of bamboo is covered in 
warm, lustrous sky-blue 
glaze, and shows the marks 
of four firing spurs on the 
base.