Old Water Dropper Porcelain Guanyin? Hand Painted Chinese Wax Export Seals 8"

Description: FROM MADEIRA WITH LOVE....! A water-dropper (Japanese: 水滴, Hepburn: suiteki, Chinese: 水滴; pinyin: shuǐdī) is a small device used in Asian calligraphy as a container designed to hold a small amount of water. Found in an estate liquidation on the island of Madeira in Portugal, that of a retired antiques dealer. The estate inventory listed this item as an old "Chinese Water Dropper Bottle". Something I knew nothing about till this acquisition. It is a tool used in Asian calligraphy. There is a hole in her back and the water would exit through small holes in her ears. My favorite detail are the painted water drops next to the ear holes that look like they could be part of her hair do. I assume she is a Guanyin or some other Chinese deity. (Not my expertise.) Another curious detail is the presence of two wax seals, both with partial losses, however, one large enough to read "Customs Permit". Research revealed that starting in 1949, these were put on any old looking porcelain allowing those objects to be exported out of China. Kind of a loose control over the movement of antiquities out of that country. I also found out that just because they are present, it does not confirm the item is actually ancient. There were no cracks or repairs detected. The tip of one finger on her right facing clenched hand has suffered a loss. A somewhat inconspicuous flaw. Some spotty wear here and there to the painted details I feel are commensurate with age. I inserted a standard size playing card in some photos as a reference for size. MUCH OBLIGED

Price: 53 USD

Location: Sao Vicente

End Time: 2024-12-27T12:35:51.000Z

Shipping Cost: 39.9 USD