Featured Tiny Bronze Asian Pots with spouts - Any Information

Someone donated their bronze and brass tiny pot* collection (*Edited from teapot based on @johnnycb09's idea). Two of them seemed interesting, so I bought them to ask about them here. I was wondering, if they are small reproductions of antique pots? The motif on the bigger one includes a toad and an oak leaf and it has a gourd or squash shape. The smaller one has a simpler design.

They do not appear to be made for use, as the insides aren't surfaced. The larger one is 3 inches in diameter not including the spout and is 4 inches tall with the handle. The smaller one is 2 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall. They both have an Asian calligraphy on the bottom. Does anyone have any ideas for me, please?

 

I wonder if those were for adding water to ink? The insides look used .

 

Hmmm. Very interesting. Not teapots them. Thanks. I'll track done that lead.

 

You may be on to something. I found three references to calligraphy water droppers that looked similar.

 

Do any of them have one tiny hole on the opposite end from the spout?

 

No tiny holes that I can find.

 

Most water droppers have a small hole that can be shutoff with your finger to control the drops of water.

 

Mmmm. Very interesting. So not a water dropper then. Thank you.

 

They look like Chinese steeping pots to me (if that is the right term, we call them 'trekpotjes'). You make strong tea in miniature teapots, which is mixed with hot water after it is poured into the cup.
I love them.

 

Excellent. I'll looking into these. Thank yo.

 

While looking for bronze/brass "trekpotjes", I came across this cutie from an old auction. I think @Bronwen will like it.


https://www.twentsveilinghuis.nl/nl...kpotje?aid=37&Lstatus=0&Accid=2&currentpos=73

 

So cute!

 

I was already liking the little pumpkin shaped pot. I'll have them both, please.

 

Ohhhhh. Don't I love that. The brass bug riding the tortoise.

 

You're right!

 

Amazing amount of work and creativity in such small things.

 

Chinese steeping pots was the trick. Thank you @Any Jewelry

Here is one much more elaborate, but a similar shape.

 

I think it is a smaller turtle. I like the specificity of the large one; looks like an actual tortoise.

 

You're right. Coming from southern california, I tend to think tortoise, but I think turtle too now that you point it out.