Chinese Water Dropper

Chinese antiques and the small porcelain objects that accompany this collection field are a wonder of unique inspiration for your interior and home decor. This 19th-century waterpot is part of what is known as scholars’ objects that Chinese scholars and the literati class used. The class of literati painting or wenrenhua is a Chinese scholar who focused on expression than exact representation or realism. However, waterpots were used in every aspect of the creation of calligraphy. This device was designed to hold water, which would be dropped onto an inkstone as a component of making ink.

This lotus porcelain decorated waterpot is late Qing dynasty, attributed to the Tongzhi or Guangxu eras, which places it in the later 19th century and is decorated in a vibrant palette of Blue with cool cream-toned accents. The surface glaze displays some crazing cracks in the surface of the underglaze color pigment. While certainly of interest to collectors of Chinese porcelain and antiques, this object is also a unique home accent for tabletop decor. Decorating surfaces with interesting objects with rich color palettes helps make an interior look full. Small accents like these help create that style with intelligent purpose even in a modernist or minimalist space. This item also displays a gallery or auction label on the underside and has come to us from a collector in Ohio.

The object measures 1.50 inches in length in height and measures 2.5 inches in diameter at the center.

The object displays chips and crazing cracks to the underglaze consistent with the age of the item.