Celadon Sanggameoryongmun Maebyeong (Plum Vase)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1386

Category

Craft

Era

고려말∼조선초

Designated year

2003

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울 용산구 이태원로55길 60-16, 삼성미술관 리움 (한남동)

Coordinates

37.536528, 126.996187

This vase is a classical early Joseon prunus vase with a sharply flared out mouth rim, round shoulder and a slim waist which flares out to a wide base. The body of the vase is divided into three tiers: a top, middle and a bottom tier. The top tier near the shoulder is ringed with a band of lotus petal motifs of an atypical style, and a wide band of yeouidumun, swirling cloud-like motifs, is placed beneath it. The middle tier displays a dragon with the body of a fish in two places, and in the spaces in-between, lotus flowers with stem and foliage and small duck motifs. The combination of a mythical image like a half-fish half-dragon creature and such lyrical yet ordinary motifs as lotus flowers and ducks creates a unique atmosphere for this vase. The surface, coated with a clear glaze with a light green hue, shows no crackles and has a soft glow. The rimless foot is slightly concave in the middle, and traces of having been rested on a bed of large-grained white sand for firing are visible on the underside. This vase with inlaid decorations, while inheriting the style of Goryeo celadon prunus vases in terms of underglaze motifs and inlaying technique, also embodies characteristics that are proper to the Joseon Dynasty.

Location