Water Pot thumbnail 1
Water Pot thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Water Pot

1800-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

White porcelain, made from a mixture of clay and crushed rock fired at a very high temperature, was first produced in Korea in the Koryo dynasty (918–1392) and came to dominate ceramic production in the Choson dynasty (1392–1910). Kilns produced large ritual objects for use at court and in the temple, as well as smaller decorative pieces for domestic use. This pot, with a decoration of floral sprays and leaves painted in cobalt blue under the glaze, was used either to add hot water to tea or to pour wine.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Water Pot
  • Lid
Materials and techniques
Porcelain, with decoration painted in cobalt blue under the glaze
Brief description
Cer, Korea, Choson, blue and white

Cer, Korea, Choson, blue and white
Physical description
Deep-bodied with a semi-circular handle, and floral sprays curving along its walls. On the handle are two archaic characters. Round the mouth is a band of key fret.

Colour: Blue and white
Dimensions
  • Height: 17.8cm
  • Diameter: 15.5cm
Style
Object history
Purchased from Messrs. Kavanough & Co. (Seoul, Chosen, Korea), accessioned in 1912. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Summary
White porcelain, made from a mixture of clay and crushed rock fired at a very high temperature, was first produced in Korea in the Koryo dynasty (918–1392) and came to dominate ceramic production in the Choson dynasty (1392–1910). Kilns produced large ritual objects for use at court and in the temple, as well as smaller decorative pieces for domestic use. This pot, with a decoration of floral sprays and leaves painted in cobalt blue under the glaze, was used either to add hot water to tea or to pour wine.
Bibliographic references
  • Beth McKillop.
  • Korean Art and Design.
  • London: V&A,
  • 1992.
  • 33.
Collection
Accession number
C.342-1912

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Record createdFebruary 3, 2000
Record URL
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