Old bronze water dropper in the shape of a rabbit

A collector who loves rabbits has donated a collection of antique rabbit-themed items to us, and we are now introducing them on our web store.

This is a drop of water in the shape of a rabbit with distinctive long ears.

Water droplets with a rabbit motif have been produced continuously since the Edo period, and the rabbits are carefully sculpted to look realistic.
It appears to be curled up and trying to scratch its face with its hind legs.

When you pick it up, it feels heavy and the base metal is solid.

Rabbits have been used in many crafts in the East since ancient times as sacred and auspicious animals and symbols of prosperity and fertility.

Metalwork, which had previously been limited to a privileged class, began to become more common during the Edo period.
As city dwellers gained economic power, they began to use metalwork to add style to their everyday items.

In this way, craftsmen competed with each other to create stationery such as water droppers and arrow holders, as well as tobacco pipes and iron kettles.

The water droplets on this rabbit were probably created against this background.

In addition, the water dropper has been an important tool in the cultural sphere of calligraphy since ancient times, but since the Edo period, metalworking techniques have developed to a high level, and many bronze water droppers have been made with themes such as animals, plants, and people and historical events. Of these, animal water droppers remain very popular even today. 

It is thought to have been made around the Meiji to Showa period, but since we are not sure, we are offering it at a reasonable price.

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Please see other rabbit collections from the link below.

▶ Click here for Incense holder in the shape of Rabbits

▶ Click here for the Long-eared rabbit writing rack

▶ Click here for Old bronze water dropper in the shape of a rabbit

[Responsible for | Megu Fukaya]