Physical item — shipped worldwide
Five questions. One minute. No birth date needed.
Find your element →£57.59 Prices include UK VAT (20%).
Free delivery on orders over £95.04 · Standard delivery £9.50 — delivery estimate at checkout
The suan pan is the Chinese abacus: two beads above the bar, five below, in a wooden or metal frame. It was the standard calculating tool across East Asia for centuries and has been kept as a decorative object since. This one is cast and assembled in solid brass with freely sliding beads.
Not ready to buy? Save it to your wishlist.
Beats on the abacus move smoothly; the rods are true and the beads are cast to a consistent bore. It is a real working abacus in that sense — you could use it — but it is sold as a desk ornament, and that is how most buyers keep it.
The frame is assembled rather than cast in one piece, with the rods set into drilled holes and peened over. Expect the brass to darken in the recesses over the first year, which is what gives these pieces their character.
For entertainment and cultural purposes only. BaZi and the Five Elements are traditional Chinese cultural frameworks — not medical, psychological, financial or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for important decisions.