The Fantastical Nephrite Monster Water Dropper
Let’s start with this: Nephrite and Jadeite are both difficult to
shape. Ancient sculptors did not so much carve jade as they ground
it and polished it into its final form using simple tools and
abrasives. Keep that in mind folks … as you later gaze upon the
Nephrite Monster Water Dropper. It was not carved. It was shaped and
polished using grinding tools.
He’s a fierce looking creature he is he is. Large teeth and curling
horns … he holds with delicacy a fragile cup in his mouth. One
bite … one careless munching down with his powerful jaws … and
the cup would be history … and I would not be writing this
particular Tidbits. Ahhh … but the creature was clearly mindful
… even back then in the 17th-19th century A.D. … time of the
Quing dynasty … even back then while he was being lovingly formed
… he knew not to clamp down … he knew that one day there would
be an article written about him in a ubiquitous ezine called
Tidbits. Such a considerate creature clearly needs a name. I will
welcome all suggestions.
As with many things … our monster was made with a purpose. On his
back is a circular opening in which one would pour water in order to
fill his cavernous belly. Through a little opening in his mouth a
minute amount of the water would then slowly slowly trickle into the
aforementioned cup. This Fantastical Nephrite Monster Water Dropper
with no name as of now … would then squat with great pride and
glory upon some scholar’s desk … waiting for said scholar–also
sadly without a name–to take a pinch of black powder he held in the
top left drawer of his bureau for just some such creature … and he
would mix the powder with the water … and presto gazats! … he
had ink with which he would immediately begin to write sage sayings
in calligraphy.
The ancient Chinese held the beauty of Jade in great esteem and
spent many long and loving hours bringing the formless materials to
life through the intricate creations of their beasties. Oh, were it
only that I had such talents. Still … I do what I can with what I
got. I can sing a mean “Sixteen Tons” in the shower bringing my
normal tenor tenor down to Basso Profundo while listening to the
hollow echoes of my tones in the shower stall.
I was born one mornin’, it was drizzlin’ rain Fightin’ and trouble
are my middle name …
The truth folks … don’t be shy … how do I sound?
My wife grins at my silliness but I care not a whit … for I’m
Benny-the-Tidbits man … and I yam what I yam what I yam.
Go take a look at this antiquarian piece folks. 'Tis indeed a thing
of beauty.
For those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits…may I
direct you to my home page at www.tyler-adam.com where you will
scroll down the left side menu till you get to the area that says
Tidbits Graphics … and then click on the link that says:
Fantastical where you’ll see an image of the Monster Water Dropper.
And there ya have it. That’s it for this week folks. Catch you all
next week. Benjamin Mark
TYLER-ADAM CORP.–Jewelry Manufacturers
Tel – 1-800-20-TYLER
E-Mail: webmaster@tyler-adam.com