Antique Chinese Celadon Glazed Daruma Water Dropper | Shuǐdī

Dimensions: 3-0”h x 3-3/4”w  3-3/4”l

This water dropper (Shuǐdī) was most likely made as a scholar’s object or a piece of personal religious art that was a luxury goods of their time and represented the physical embodiment of the scholar’s intellectual curiosity and aesthetic taste. This wonderful figure is in the form of a reclining Daruma the god of perseverance and good luck and the founder of the Zen (h’an) sect of Buddhism. The figure except the face, chest, and foot appearing from under his robe is unglazed. His robe and cowl are finished in a celadon green glaze which became immensely popular, in part because the color reminded Chinese collectors of jade. Celadon-glazed pieces were widely exported, including to the Middle East, and countries including Korea and Japan began making their colorations of celadon. 

The face of this vintage figure is intense and full of serious expression. His power is embedded in his benevolent facial features with pierced expressive eyes, large textured eyebrows, and without the typical face and body hair. The unique asymmetrical shape shows the Patriarch fully robed in an outstretched relaxed pose. This old porcelain figure of Daruma is dressed in a flowing green robe, reclined, relaxed, and contemplative position holding a Ruyi nyoi Septer, which is an instrument held during ceremonies and sermons shaped as a short staff curled in an S-shape a traditional symbol of longevity. The piece came from an extensive collection and was presented with a rosewood Chinese stand, although the stand complements the piece perfectly in presenting the sculpture, we do not think it was specifically made for the figure. There are no signatures or markings on the bottom of the piece showing the clay from which it was made, which indicates it is an early piece and before exporting precious objects.

Condition: Exceptional condition exhibiting an aged patination and meticulous care. There are no missing elements, no scratches or imperfections related to daily use with all detailed elements intact. The object retains the original craftsmanship, meeting the standards of the collector of the religious art genre.