Jar
1800-1850 (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). By the time this jar was made in the 19th century, such porcelain had come to dominate ceramic production. Plain white wares, with their connotations of purity and honesty, were popular in a culture embedded in Confucian philosophy. However, porcelains painted under the glaze with iron brown or, as in this case, copper red and cobalt blue were also prized.
The jar is decorated with two phoenixes – mythical birds with rich symbolic significance in Korean art. Here they may express a wish for long life.
The jar is decorated with two phoenixes – mythical birds with rich symbolic significance in Korean art. Here they may express a wish for long life.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain, thrown, painted in underglaze cobalt blue and copper red |
| Brief description | Jar of porcelain, painted in underglaze cobalt blue and copper red, Korea, Choson dynasty, 1800-1850 |
| Physical description | Jar, pear-shaped with slightly flaring neck. Painted in underglaze blue and copper red with phoenixes and jewels. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Given by Dr W. M. Tapp |
| Subject depicted | |
| 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). By the time this jar was made in the 19th century, such porcelain had come to dominate ceramic production. Plain white wares, with their connotations of purity and honesty, were popular in a culture embedded in Confucian philosophy. However, porcelains painted under the glaze with iron brown or, as in this case, copper red and cobalt blue were also prized. The jar is decorated with two phoenixes – mythical birds with rich symbolic significance in Korean art. Here they may express a wish for long life. |
| Bibliographic reference | Wilkinson, Liz. Birds, Bats & Butterflies in Korean Art. London: Sun Tree Publishing, Singapore, 1996, pp.46-47. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.75-1930 |
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| Record created | February 3, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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