White Porcelain Cheonghwaingeomun Jar

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.788

Category

Craft

Era

조선시대

Designated year

1984

Location

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

Coordinates

37.536528, 126.996187

White porcelain in underglaze cobalt blue was first developed during the first half of the 14th century in the Yuan Dynasty of China. Blue painting on a surface of white porcelain looks like a watercolor painting. This type of porcelain was first made in Korea in the middle of 15th century, and the Korean porcelains showed more realistic paintings. The piece shown here is 24.7 cm tall while the diameter is 8.1 cm at the mouth and 12.4 cm at the base. The mouth is bent inwards and, therefore, is not so wide. The shoulder starts out in a bulging shape, narrowing as it reaches the lower body and widening again at the heel. This is an elegant jar displaying the typical features of those made during the early Joseon Dynasty. On the body is a large frame surrounded by flower designs, just like a window decorated with flowers. Inside the frame is a painting of fish, which look real and alive. The painting, which shows carp and minnows swimming among waterweeds as well one of lotus vines filling up the outside of the flower frame, is of the same composition as paintings found on the blue-and-white porcelains from the Ming Dynasty of China. The enamel used has a gray white color with a blue tone. The wall of the jar is rather thick. The picturesque beauty of the painting is further enhanced by the adroit control over the concentration of azure blue color. Experts believe that this white porcelain piece was made at a government kiln in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do. It is an excellent example of work from the early Joseon Dynasty.

Location