Celadon Duck‑Shaped Scholar’s Water Dropper, Song Dynasty,12th‑13th Century Song Dynasty Sky‑Celadon Glazed Bionic Duck‑Form Porcelain Water Dropper For Scholar’s Studio

拍品描述

Dimensions: 11 cm (4.33 in) long, 7.5 cm (2.95 in) high, 12th-13th century Song Dynasty celadon water dropper in the shape of a duck, used in a calligraphy studio. Condition and Provenance: This piece is shaped like a reclining duck, covered with a smooth, even celadon glaze with fine, naturally occurring crackles. The feathers are depicted with shallow incised lines. A flower-shaped spout is located on the duck's back. Four kiln nail marks are visible on the base, revealing the light gray body. The piece is well-preserved, without any minor cracks or damage. Yellow burial marks are scattered on the glaze, indicating its original burial. There are no signs of later glazing, repairs, or polishing. All carved details and kiln nail marks are clearly visible. This water dropper was part of an early Hong Kong porcelain collection and was acquired in 2025 by a private collection in Illinois specializing in Song Dynasty porcelain. Hong Kong was a major global trading center for Song and pre-Song porcelain. Description: This Song Dynasty celadon duck-shaped water dropper is a classic example of biomimetic porcelain stationery found in the traditional Chinese scholar's study. Water droppers were specialized tools used in calligraphy and painting to drip water onto the inkstone. In Song Dynasty culture, ducks symbolized peace and good fortune, making animal-shaped biomimetic porcelain extremely popular in the scholar's study. This water dropper depicts a graceful, plump duck, its lifelike form cleverly blending three-dimensional sculpture with high-temperature firing techniques. The flower-shaped opening on the back serves as the water inlet, allowing water to flow into the internal cavity. Shallow and simple engraved lines outline the layered feather texture, showcasing exquisite carving skills. The entire piece is covered in a soft sky-blue glaze, with fine kiln crackles forming on the surface during cooling—a characteristic of genuine original glazes. Multiple nail marks on the base faithfully preserve the Song Dynasty kiln-support firing technique, providing important physical evidence for dating. Extant Song Dynasty literati porcelain in the shape of biomorphic animals is relatively rare on the antique market, and well-preserved animal-shaped water droppers are even rarer. Most similar pieces on the market have chips on the rim, cracks in the body, or signs of repair. This duck-shaped water dropper is lifelike, simple and elegant, with a natural patina, and the decorative details are well preserved. It is a valuable material reference for studying the study life of Song Dynasty literati, Chinese biomorphic ceramics techniques, and the symbolism of traditional auspicious animals. This porcelain is highly sought after by early Chinese porcelain collectors internationally. It not only has excellent aesthetic appeal for desktop display but also has significant academic research value, making it a desirable small collectible among Song Dynasty literati porcelain.

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