Page 56 - Chinese Art From The Scholars Studio, 2015, J.J. Lally, New York

29. A B r o n z e t o rt o i s e-f o r m W At e r d r o p p e r
Early Six Dynasties Period, 3rd-4th Century

the hollow-cast realistic model of a tortoise with short filling-tube in the center, the blunt snout
pierced with a small aperture to allow water to be dropped onto the inkstone, the smooth dark surface
patina showing traces of green encrustation from burial.

Length 4¼ inches (10.8 cm)
A very similar bronze tortoise-form water dropper, with an ear-cup held in the mouth of the tortoise, in the collection of the
Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Zhongguo wenfang sibao quanji (Compendium of Chinese Scholar’s Objects), Vol.
IV, Beijing, 2008, p. 13, no. 18. The same water dropper is also illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace
Museum: Bronze Articles for Daily Use, Shanghai, 2007, p. 160, no. 138.

六朝初期 銅龜形硯滴 長 10.8 厘米

30. A g o l d- A n d s i lv e r-i n l A i d A r C h A i s t i C B r o n z e W At e r p o t
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
the compressed spherical vessel cast with stylized long-tailed birds in relief around the sides, the short
neck with flared mouth in the shape of a bird’s head with wide open beak, inlaid all over with gold and
silver, the rich brown patina mottled with bright green in the style of archaic bronze.
Width 2/8 inches (6 cm)
3

明 銅錯金銀仿古鳳紋水盂 寬 6 厘米