Chinese Carpenter's Plumb Line

Scowling carved panel, a ragged cord end, and soot-dark skin.

This carpenter's plumb line is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. It is wood. Made of wood, a tool of this type is generally small enough to hold in one hand, and gravity does the work of finding the true vertical. Compact, nearly square box in dark brown, the side carved with a curling, creature-like figure in low relief. A spool with matted string sits in the top, a small round well at the left end, and a frayed cord hangs from one side. It is 6.75 inches wide, 5 deep and 3.75 high.

Grimy, tough, and full of character.