Water Dropper
ca. 1700-1800 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This object is a ‘suiteki’ (water-dropper). By 1600, water-droppers in enamels were increasingly found in boxes for writing utensils, where they were used in the preparation of ink from a solid ink-block.
This example is made of copper. Its rims, handle, opening and spout were all possibly once gilded. The body is decorated in cloisonné enamels with cloud-motifs and stylised floral scrolls delineated by copper wires (which may also have once been possibly gilded).
This example is made of copper. Its rims, handle, opening and spout were all possibly once gilded. The body is decorated in cloisonné enamels with cloud-motifs and stylised floral scrolls delineated by copper wires (which may also have once been possibly gilded).
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gilded copper with cloisonne enamel decoration |
| Brief description | Met, Japan, writing accessories, cloisonne |
| Physical description | Water-dropper (Japanese: suiteki), unsigned, copper decorated in cloisonné enamels. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | Purchased from Mr. Hogitaro Inada (78 Guildford Street, Russell Square, W.C.), accessioned in 1912. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Summary | This object is a ‘suiteki’ (water-dropper). By 1600, water-droppers in enamels were increasingly found in boxes for writing utensils, where they were used in the preparation of ink from a solid ink-block. This example is made of copper. Its rims, handle, opening and spout were all possibly once gilded. The body is decorated in cloisonné enamels with cloud-motifs and stylised floral scrolls delineated by copper wires (which may also have once been possibly gilded). |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.80-1912 |
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| Record created | December 14, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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