This particular example appears to be Chinese, as the
writing (which is in Chinese characters) carved into its
sides espouse productivity and hard work using a tonality
from the time of the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).
Additionally, the characters refer to the
revolutionary resistance to the "Four Olds"(old
ideas, old culture, old customs and old habits). Due to
the condition and appearance of this tool, it is impossible
to tell if it is an older artifact that was redecorated
during the cultural-revolutionary era, or it if was made
during that time period.
D.S. Orr |
