A very unusual bronze water dropper (suiteki) in the form of a hanging lantern. The water dropper is used as a reservoir of water when grinding ink or to dilute an ink mixture in the ink stone. The water immerging from one of the lantern’s roof supports. The roof of the lantern with a boar’s eye shaped (inoshishi) secondary hole to control the water's flow by creating a vacuum. With a previous owner’s small wood tag, reading “suiteki” (水滴) attached with a leather cord.
Edo Period, 18th-19th century
2½" high
