A lively four-clawed dragon encircles this Korean bottle, painted in cobalt-blue pigment. The forceful dragon is surrounded by clouds, and chases a flaming pearl. The bottle's robust shape is typical of 19th century Korean flasks, with its wide body and short neck. Porcelain was made in Korea from the 11th century onwards, and became the preferred type of ceramic during the Choson period. Blue and white bowls, vases, dishes and bottles were made in large numbers at the royal kilns near Kwangju, to the east of modern Seoul.