Celadon Ewer in the Shape of a Turtle-dragon

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.96

Category

Craft

Era

고려시대(12세기 전반)

Designated year

1962

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137 (용산동6가, 국립중앙박물관)

Coordinates

37.524041, 126.980350

One of the masterpieces made in the 12th century when Goryeo celadon art had its golden days, this celadon ewer has height of 17 centimeters, base diameter of 10.3 centimeters, and foot rim diameter of 9.9 centimeters. It features a dragon-headed tortoise sitting on a lotus flower and consists of -- in addition to the body for storing liquid -- mouth, spout, and handle. The dragon head is elaborately and skillfully rendered to be complete with a pair of horns on the forehead as well as beard, staring eyes, sharp teeth, and scales along the long neck. The eyes are marked with slip dots, whereas the scales along the neck are incised and the claws carved in relief. The back is decorated with tortoise-shell motifs with each hexagon containing the Chinese character “Wang (王)” meaning “king”; the handle is shaped like a twisted lotus stalk, whereas the mouth through which water is poured into the ewer is shaped like a lotus leaf nicely folded inward. The entire surface of the vessel is covered with jade green glaze emitting pleasantly fresh luster. With the elaborate rendering of the details nicely coated with attractive jade green glaze, the ewer is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of the figurative celadon vessels of Goryeo conceived from various animals and plants.

Location