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China Knife and Chopsticks Kit Ivory and metal, 19th century Qing dynasty 13-1/4" L Gift of Mrs. Susan Palmer 1965: 89a The set displayed

Knife and chopsticks kits, now referred to as "survival kits," were originally crude leather bags containing knives, flints, and whetstones carried by nomads in Manchuria and Mongolia. By the Qing dynasty,Manchu and Mongolians had ascended to the top of China’s social hierarchy and continued to carry these kits in honor of their nomadic ancestry. The kits then began to be crafted out of lacquerware, ivory, bamboo, and other precious materials, and the flint and whetstone were replaced by a knot-opener. The kit, now more ornamental than functional, was considered a required part of the emperor’s court attire.

In addition to knife and chopsticks, this ivory kit contains an ear wax cleaner, knot- opener, and an ornamental mini-spear.

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