Bamboo and Rock

Our 'Bamboo and Rock' is an exquisite bookmark made of Zitan (Red Sandalwood), golden ink, white jade, 24k gold and silk. 

The size of the body of the bookmark: 

L: 28.8cm, W: 3.7cm(bottom)/2.5cm(top), H: 1.5mm

The size of the white jade bead:

φ:8mm, L:10mm

On one side of the bookmark, bamboo and rock are hand-carved. Golden ink is used to fill in the carving lines.

The carving is handmade by a scholar-artist in Beijing. During the carving, knife is used as a pen to illustrate the outstanding characteristics of bamboo and rock.

The symbolism of bamboo and rocks is very ancient in Chinese culture; bamboo is admired for its resilience and modesty, while the rock symbolises solidity and endurance. 

The golden ink filled in the carving is handmade from natural minerals and herbals in the most traditional method. 

The golden colour appears smooth and vivid, with some special but natural shimmering. 

Under different lights and from different angles, the colour looks a bit different. 

The Zitan used to make this bookmark is from the component part of a broken antique Japanese musical instrument Shamisen, which has at least 70 years old history. 

Red sandalwood has historically been valued in China, particularly during the Qing Dynasty periods, and is referred to in Chinese as 'Zitan' (紫檀) and spelt tzu-t'an by earlier western authors when they introduced classical Chinese hardwood furniture to the west.

An exquisite chair made of red sandalwood can be seen today in China's Forbidden City in Beijing, inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and once used by the emperors of the Qing Dynasty.

Due to its slow growth and rarity, things made of 'Zitan' is rare and expensive. It has been one of the most prized woods for millennia.

Super refined polishing makes the bookmark nearly appear similar shimmering as metals.

Under light, the "virtually invisible grains" on the Zitan wood gradually emerge. They are very beautiful and mysterious dark red and purple patterns. 

One very delicate handmade lantern-shape white jade bead is used as accessory of the bookmark. 

The white jade of this bead comes from the Yurungkash river in Hotan of Xinjiang, which locates in western China.

The white jade that comes from this place has been appreciated by Chinese culture for thousands of years and is considered as the most genuine and authentic white jade. 

The white jade in the Yurungkash river in Hotan is a nonrenewable resource. After being used for thousands of years, nowadays a piece of top-class white jade stone has become extremely rare and valuable.

The quality of this white jade bead is top-class. Both the material and the craftsmanship are flawless. 

The shimmer of white jade stays inside. The visual feeling is very soft, gentle and comfortable, especially under light. 

The touch feeling is silk-smooth but more special. This kind of feeling is beyond description unless you have it in your own hands. 

In the end of the rope, there are two bamboo-shape beads. All golden ornaments of this bookmark are handmade with 24k gold in traditional methods. The colour and texture are different from 18k gold.

The rope is made of 100% silk. Color comes from natural dyes.

Handmade of 16 strands of silk thread in Japan. Very strong and durable. 

It might be the most extraordinary bookmark you can ever find.

Handmade of several kinds of precious natural materials, refined and exquisite. 

Perfect to used with big books.

But it is more than a bookmark. 

Just spontaneously place it on your table, it immediately becomes an eye-catching art decoration. 

Unique in the world. 

~ We only make special things that can last! ~