宋/明 铜犀牛形水注|Water dropper in the form of a rhinoceros
Unknown Artist
15th century
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H. 2 1/8 in (5.4 cm); W. 5 in. (12.7 cm); D. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
Classification
Metalwork
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 2015
Accession Number
2015.294
Tags
Art Historical Context
This charming bronze water dropper, in the form of a rhinoceros during Ming dynasty (13681644), dates to the 15th century. Measuring just 2 inches high and 5 inches wide, its compact size belies its clever functionality: scholars used such vessels to dispense water precisely onto inkstones for grinding ink in traditional calligraphy and painting. The rhinoceros shape—evoking an exotic animal rarely seen in China but known through tribute animals and lore—adds a whimsical, naturalistic touch to this everyday studio tool. Ming metalwork exemplifies the period's technical mastery in lost-wax cas...