Water dropper in the form of a rhinoceros

Water dropper in the form of a rhinoceros

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This bronze figure of a single-horned rhinoceros sits on four flexed legs with its head slightly raised. Its body is clad in thick hide with heavy folds and decorated with fine honey-comb patterns. Designed as a water dropper, the animal has a compact and hollow body, with a circular opening on its back to add water and a small aperture in its mouth to dispense it, a few drops at a time. The entire piece is covered with a naturally formed brownish patina that bears no trace of being buried underground.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Water dropper in the form of a rhinocerosWater dropper in the form of a rhinocerosWater dropper in the form of a rhinocerosWater dropper in the form of a rhinocerosWater dropper in the form of a rhinoceros

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.