OFFERED ... a rare pair of antique Chinese wrist rests or arm rests likely used by scholars or calligraphers to prevent wet ink from smudging on the hand or sleeve while writing, as traditional Chinese calligraphy was done using a brush and ink that dried slowly.  Commonly made from sections of bamboo, as these are, it naturally provided a curved surface suitable for resting the wrist.  Bamboo also holds symbolic significance in Chinese culture.  The carved image depicts a scene from Xitang Ancient Town, an historic water town in Zhejiang Province, China.  The top horizontal characters in the image directly translate to “Jiangnan Ancient Town Xitang,” located in Jiashan County, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, China.  It is known for its well-preserved ancient architecture, including traditional houses, bridges, and narrow waterways, which are characteristic of the Jiangnan region (south of the Yangtze River),  Xitang is a popular tourist destination that offers a glimpse into the traditional Chinese water tow life and culture.