A Rare Chinese Celadon-Glazed Incised 'Duck' Water Dropper, Song to Jin Dynasty, 11th–13th Century

An exceptionally charming and rare Chinese celadon-glazed water dropper (yandi), beautifully sculpted in the round as a stylized, nesting duck. Designed for a scholar's studio desk to control water flow during ink stone preparation, the vessel features a hollow ovoid body centered with a circular aperture on the spine to receive water, while the open beak acts as a fine pouring spout. The exterior flanks and wings are masterfully incised with fluent, fine-line combed decoration depicting layered avian feathers and stylized lotus petals that pool with a rich, olive-green celadon glaze under firing. The glaze displays a soft, jade-like luster accompanied by areas of natural, age-oxidized ivory fading and fine historic craquelure across the neck. The unglazed, flat pedestal base reveals the dense, buff-gray stoneware body displaying kiln-sand adhesion and characteristic iron-rich firing spots consistent with early Northern celadon workshops. Length: 4 in. Height: 3.5 in. Provenance: Collection from Professor of University of Chicago in IL USA .

Condition
The early ceramic water dropper is in stable, good antique condition. Consistent with most excavated Song/Jin dynasty zoomorphic vessels of this fragile form, the neck features an old, through-and-through hairline fracture that has been historically stabilized and professionally consolidated. The structural repair is highly stable and does not detract from the overall display profile. Minor, expected firing imperfections—including small glaze pops, faint surface pitting, and microscopic edge wear along the rim of the back aperture—are present and serve as genuine diagnostic indicators of age. The original body, tail feathers, and unglazed foot remain fully intact and free from modern recreation.