Very Unusual Cadogan Wine/Water Pot...Anyone Seen One Similar?

I picked this Cadogan glazed earthenware wine/water pot up a while back. For those who don't know, (don't be embarrassed, I didn't when I first bought the pot), a cadogan pot is sometimes called a "puzzle" pot and has no lid. Once submerged in liquid the pot will fill through a bottom hole and an interior barrier (tube) prevents a back flow. It can then be poured without leaking. I believe this one is Asian, and probably Chinese, but I have never seen another of such a beautiful, organic, shape...most look like stylized peachs. According to lore, the first Cadogan was made in China during the Song dynasty and named for Lady Cadogan who brought one back to England...where it became popular. I think this one may be a water dropper used in calligraphy...but I don't know. Has anyone seen one similar? The Cadogan stands a little less than 6 inches tall.

 

I think you fill it upside down rather than submerge it in wine!

 

Beautiful, JayC. It looks Chinese to me, but I don't know all European Chinoiserie styles in ceramics.

Yes you do. Inside the pot is a pipe which goes almost to the top. When you pour the water in, the space around the pipe fills with water, which stays there when you turn it upright again. You can then pour your water, which is what it is for, from the spout. Just a little Chinese puzzle trick.

 

Thank you for your comments! In regard to how you fill this Cadogan, (I can only speak for this one because I've never tried another), it works much better if you submerge it in the liquid; otherwise much of the liquid flows right out the spout as it fills. As I said, I think it was used as a calligraphy water dropper...not as messy as wine and there doesn't appear to be any staining from the tannins as you'd see on old ceramic wine vessels. Also, as another point of interest, the Cadogan, though earthenware, is remarkably light.

As additional background, the gentleman from whose daughters I received the Cadogan, was an officer in the U.S. Navy, stationed in the Pacific during WWII and also Korea until 1953. He brought it home from one of those tours. They didn't know what it was and considered it an Asian bud vase...an interesting application. I've included some additional pictures; I hope someone is familiar with the style.

 

I believe a water dropper would have a tiny hole to dispense water a drop at a time.

 

Yes, it would. I think this one is a 'regular' water pot, to pour from.

 

HI JayC, lovely Cadogan. I really like the crackle glaze and the overall look.
Some observers suggested you turned the pot over, used your finger to block the spout and filled from the bottom. Not sure about that for hot water though. I also read that they were used on British Rail so the water didn't leak or spill with the movement of the carriage.
FYI, some extra details from Gotheborg.com.
Cadogan
Cadogan, puzzle pot or 'Kendi Maling'

Chinese lidless wine pot said to be named after the Honorable Mrs. Cadogan who brought a Chinese example to Britain and mystified her guests because there was no apparent means to fill the pot, sometimes referred to as a "puzzle pot". The pot is filled when held upside down, through a hole in the base leading to a tube going upward inside the pot to within an inch of the top.

Commonly found in the shape of a peach and in a combination of Celadon green and underglaze red, dating to around the Guangxu period. Rare blue and white examples in the shape also of a peach, occur from the mid decades of the 17th century. Later examples occurs throughout the 20th century.

This shape is known in China as an 'upside down filling wine pot', dao guan hu.

See also Kendi maling

 

Hello AuDragon! Thanks for the reply, (actually thank all of you for your replies). I suspect all of these "filling" techniques were used over the millenia since these were first designed...I guess it's up to the owner to determine the correct method to avoid the greatest loss (or waste) of the liquid contents. I thank you for showing the peach-shaped Cadogan...that is the basis for my confusion. These pots, of this style, were first designed during the late Ming, early Qing, dynasties and are still being made today. What I would really like to know is if someone has actually seen one made during the Song dynasty...if so I would really appreciate hearing from you!

 

Hi JayC, This really got my interest so I have done a lot of research and I have to say I'm stumped! It is identified as a water pot or Cadogan as mentioned above. I have searched the British Museum, the National Museum Beijing, eBay, Etsy, Britannica, Gotheborg, various ceramic websites, various collector websites and Google, Google, Google under more than a dozen different word combinations. I have not found one like it or anything similar that would lead me down a particular path of discovery. It's almost an enigma.

You said above that they were first designed in the Ming period 1368-1644 or Qing period 1644-1912. Why would you think this was made much earlier in the Song Dynasty 960-1279?

Given your provenance comments, I also wondered if it could be Korean. Korea and China have had an on and off relationship, particularly strong in the Goryeo period 935-1392 and also in the Joseon period 1392-1910. I still couldn't find any close matches using the above sources and similar key words.

I have seen some really lovely crackle ceramics in my search in both white/cream and typical greenish celadon, but again, nothing and certainly nothing of this shape or purpose from the Song Dynasty. That period did do some lovely crackle work though.

The dates you mentioned above equate to the Republic period in China 1912-1949. I wonder if this was a special gift or collectable from that period?

I am interested in the "staining" on the top and the base. To me, this would indicate some use and general wear. Filling from the bottom and tipping forwards to pour through the spout might produce stains like that. But would water (hot or cold) have that effect? Could it have been for wine or alcohol?

The depth of the base and the staining on the inside and outside of the base leads me to believe it would have been filled that way and not submerged.

So IMHO, I feel you need to be really careful when describing this item. It could be as old as you believe, but I'm thinking late 19thC or very early 20thC, before 1912 which might make it very late Qing, which you mentioned.

However, I am sure there are many much more qualified experts out there who will correct my mistakes, and I will continue to learn from this forum. Best of luck.

Just for interest, I have added some images I found in my search:

 

Hello again AuDragon, I really thank you for your interest! I, too, have spent a lot of time looking into this piece and I need to clarify that the reference to Ming and Qing dynasties was in relation to the form, (design), of Cadogan you so kindly included in your first response. My reference was to the assertion, made by historians, that the first ceramic Cadogan, (dao guan hu), was made in China during the Song dynasty...not that the one I am showing was necessarily made during that period. I was hoping to find someone who specialized in collecting "upside down filling pots" but so far that hasn't materialized. Of course, in the end, I may have to subject the little pot to a thermoluminescence test.

 

I've always wanted to get some items tested but I think there are only a couple of places in Australia (one in Wollongong) and the costs I have seen are between AUD$1000 - AUD$3000 here and in Britain. Good luck if you go down that direction.

 

It's $400 through Oxford testing... very dependable and trusted.