82 A very fine and rare jade water dropper in the form of a fabulous beast, after a Han or Six Dynasties bronze, crouched on all fours and holding an eared cup in its mouth. The animal is particularly well worked in relief with two horns, thick eyebrows, a flat muzzle and a bifid tail; the haunches, back and underside are decorated with scrollwork. The animal is well hollowed and has an aperture in its back and a small hole in its mouth. The stone is a pale celadon-green tone with areas of russet. Ming dynasty Length: 5”, 13 cm For similar examples, see Jadeware (II): The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, no. 160, p. 194; Lei et al, Imperial Tombs of China, p. 130; and Watt, Chinese Jades from Han to Ch’ing, no. 109, p. 132.