FORMERLY THE PROPERTY OF HENRY-RENE D'ALLEMAGNE (1863-1950) BY REPUTE A BRONZE ‘XUANWU’ WATER DROPPER China, Early Qing Dynast Cast after an ancient Han or Six Dynasties (25-618) prototype, this scholar's water dropper is in the form of a tortoise holding a small cup in its mouth. The creature is surmounted by a snake. Bears an old collector’s label to the below. H: 4,5 cm – L: 14,3 cm – w: 7 cm Weight: approximately 353 grams Provenance (by repute): Formerly in the Collection of Henry-Rene d’Allemagne (1863-1950), a renowned French librarian and Historian, specialized in Decorative Arts. He devoted his entire life to the study of new subjects such as playing cards. He was the former owner of a large collection of Islamic items which was acquired after his death from his son Jacques d'Allemagne by P T Brooke-Sewell (q.v.), who presented it to the British Museum in 1956. Notes: 1. In combination, the snake and tortoise represent the north, or the dark warrior. In the present piece, the animals are realistically cast. The tortoise is even correctly detailed with scales and plastron on the underside. 2. A bronze tortoise-form water dropper was recently excavated from a third- or fourth-century tomb in Ch'ing-hai province. In keeping with scholar's taste for the ancient, this seventeenth-century writing utensil once used on a scholar's desk must have been based on an ancient prototype. 3. For a related silver inlaid piece, please refers to accession number 2001.135.7 of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, a gift of Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton. For another related piece, that one made of cloisonne enamels, please refer to Sotheby’s London, United Kingdom, 2014/05/14, lot 133, sold for GBP7.500 BP incl. “龟蛇”青铜水滴管摆件 中国，清期 NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.