White Porcelain Jar with Plum and Bamboo Design in Underglaze Iron

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.166

Category

Craft

Era

조선시대(16세기)

Designated year

1974

Location

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

Coordinates

37.524041, 126.980350

This white porcelain jar of the Joseon Dynasty has a height of 41.3cm and bottom width of 19cm. This jar has a round body with an everted mouth rim. The body fully widens from the slant of the neck and then steadily narrows at the bottom. The cloud and flower patterns on the neck and shoulder parts of the jar were painted with black pigment that has shading, and so were the continuous wave patterns on the lower part. A bamboo tree is painted on one side and stumps of plum flowers are painted on the other side of the body. There is dim shine on the jar, which was evenly coated with bluish powder-white glaze. This kind of jar can be found among buncheong ware with white slip and grayish-green glaze, from the 16th century. Especially, it is very similar to the jars of the Ming Dynasty. The patterns on the shoulder and lower part are continuously used on the jars in the early 17th century. Considering the light color of the glaze and the images of plum and bamboo, it is estimated to have been made at the kiln in Gwaneum-ri, Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It is believed that a palace artist drew the exceptionally excellent bamboo and plum paintings on the jar. The jar belongs to the early period of white porcelain with underglaze iron design. It is an excellent example, boasting harmony in the shape and patterns of the jar. It has an imposing and splendid body shape with excellent paintings of plum and bamboo on it.

Location