• IMG_9840
  • IMG_9843
  • IMG_9838
  • IMG_9835
  • IMG_9834
IMG_9840

A Chinese Scholar Bronze Water Dropper – Ming Dynasty 明代铜砚滴

This bronze water-dropper (Chinese水滴) bronze water dropper is in shape of a mythical beast. It is used by Chinese scholar in calligraphy as a container designed to hold a small amount of water. In order to make ink a few drops of water are dropped onto an ink stone. By grinding an inkstick into this water on the inkstone, particles come off and mix with the water, forming ink. This water-dropper has two small holes for water and air, and is designed so that only a few drops of water can fall at one time.