明 青銅「臥牛」水滴

naturalistically cast in the round as a recumbent buffalo with alert eyes and curved horns, its head abruptly turned to the left, its powerful limbs terminating in cloven hooves and the tail curling around its left haunch, the underside of the hollow body set with an opening and the mouth with a smaller aperture for pouring water, wood stand

There are some minor dents, the largest being a patch of about 1.5 cm to the back of the beast. It is otherwise in quite good overall condition, with some typical wear to the lacquered surface.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
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Later bronze water vessels of this type are rare, although a closely related example is illustrated in Sydney L. Moss, The Second Bronze Age. Later Chinese Metalwork, London, 1991, pl. 24. Compare also a parcel-gilt bronze waterdropper in the form of a herdboy riding a buffalo included ibid., pl. 26, together with another bronze water vessel and incense stick holder in the form of an immortal riding a qilin, pl. 25. Notes to the former mention that the piece demonstrates the 'sweet, robust Sung revival of figural and especially animal forms which characterises much 17th century bronze modelling, in contrast to the curious archaism of the late 16th century' (ibid., pl. 26).

The inspiration for such water vessels possibly came from archaic bronze buffalo figures; for example see one included in the exhibition Arts of the Han Dynasty, China Art Society of America, Asia House, New York, 1961, cat. no. 56; and another gilt-bronze figure of a recumbent buffalo with a similarly raised head, attributed to the Han period, from the collection of Edward G. Robinson, sold in our London rooms, 27th November 1973, lot 24.

This vessel may be filled with water from the underside by holding it upside-down. Once full and set upright, the long interior cylindrical tube prevents the water from draining out and allows it to exit through the hole in the mouth. As water flows out of the mouth the air is replaced from the filling tube. The flow of water can be controlled by placing a finger over the filling hole, similar to that on conventional water-droppers.