1st-4th century
Carved and polished bone stylus. The pointed end is conical; one side of the rounded end is flat. The shaft, round in section, has a raised ridge at approximately the spot where it would have been held for writing; it tapers toward each end.
9.98 cm (3 15/16 in.)
The Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University (before 1970-2012), transfer; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2012.


Daihan (large-sized) minogami (mulberry bark paper) treated with persimmon juice and cut using the "tsukibori" (thrust-carving) technique
19th-20th centuryJapaneseWooden-handled metal cutting tool
JapaneseCast bronze
17th-19th centuryKorean

Wood
17th centuryChineseChūban (medium-sized) minogami (mulberry bark paper) treated with persimmon juice and cut using the "dōgubori" (punch-carving) and "tsukibori" (thrust-carving) techniques; with ink
19th-20th centuryJapanese