A charming 20th century Chinese carved hardstone scholar's desk piece, worked as a rounded, pierced vessel — likely intended as a water dropper or small brush washer for the scholar's studio — with two chilong (hornless dragon) figures carved in high relief clambering over the body, their heads raised on either side of the central aperture. The stone shows attractive two-tone natural colouring, with the carver skilfully working the warm russet-orange "skin" of the material into the dragons' bodies and scrollwork against the pale cream ground, a technique much prized in Chinese hardstone carving. Low-relief scroll and cloud motifs decorate the reverse. A tactile, well-carved piece with genuine character in the two dragon heads, suited to a scholar's desk display or as a stand-alone curio. Dimensions: 10cm length x 8cm width x 6cm high Weight: 467g Good Condition