Mat, KC Ipcress,, you people who know Japanese, Chinese items,,pics added !!

[mart]

https://www.kovels.com/discussions/question/please-help-identifying-object.html

I have no clue !!  About 4" X 1 1/2" !!  Help !!

[KC]

Mart, my first impression is that it is a carved soapstone or jade incense burner - for cone shaped incense.

[Rauville]

And my impression would be that it might be a soapstone ink pot (sumitsubo sp?).
Yes, we need someone with knowledge to look at this.

[KC]

I have to also agree with you Rauville that it could be used for that as well. Soapstone is such a widely used item in those cultures.  They also had "brush washers" that were made out of soapstone and were around this size.

So far, 3 possibilities:  incense burner, ink pot, brush washer...

[mart]

Do not think a brush pot !!  Its only 1 1/2 inches wide !! Would only hold a few drops of  water and the brushes they use are pretty big but with a very fine long tip !!  Soapstone incense burner is what I thought too but I am no expert !!  Ink is a thought as well !!

[Mat]

I think it is a miniature version of a water pot like this one: http://www.arcimboldo.cz/en/auctions/chinese-art-antiques-3/katalog/3258/a-celadon-and-russet-jade-chilong-water-pot/ I guess it is some other stome trying to imitate Jade, and the carving is quite rough. My guess is that it is just a modern decorative piece trying to look old...

[KC]

Mat, that is the style of a water pot (aka Brush Pot) for cleaning brushes.  I figured it could be a small one for ink work and not painting with a large brush as well. 

[SophieMarie]

Hi Mart!
Do you know what the bottom looks like?  Just kidding!  I was curious to know the diameter of the hole itself and if the area of the opening goes all the way back to the wall of the item.  I blew up a picture trying to see but is it unclear to me.  Pic is attached....

[mart]

Ahhh  Ha !!  Now I have SophieMarie wanting to see those bottoms !!    Let me post a link so the owner can see what you need !!

[mart]

Bumping this post up,,new pics and sizes added !!

[KC]

So...the entire piece is 7cm x 5 cm (2.76" x 1.97") with the inner hole is 2cm round x 7mm deep (.78" round x 0.28" deep)?

[mart]

Not very big !!

[KC]

I believe it could be an incense burner as well as Rauville's post about being used for ink!

[SophieMarie]

I had to wonder what the creature was on this item but after searching around a little...I think it is the Chinese Li Dragon:
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/33167448_a-pair-chinese-hetian-jade-paperweight-carved-li-dragon

I asked about the diameter of the hole and height because I wanted to calculate the volume of liquid it would hold.  So, thanks for getting that Mart! 

The volume of the opening is approximately 0.134 cubic inches which translates to about 0.4 teaspoons.  With that being said, I think the item is not ink pot, but rather an incense burner decorating with the Chinese Li Dragon.

[mart]

LOL !!  Mmmm,, You did say chocolate,, didn`t you ??  I think its an incense burner too !!  Probably soapstone !!