Piltong
Brush Pot (Piltong)
1800 - 1899 (made)
1800 - 1899 (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 Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) and came to dominate ceramic production in the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). Kilns produced large objects for use at court as well as smaller domestic pieces for private customers. In about 1800 they began to produce elegant white openwork porcelain objects such as this brush pot. Painting and calligraphy were essential accomplishments of the Joseon gentleman, and this piece would have graced a scholar's study, serving its function but also delighting the eye.
Plain white wares, with their connotations of purity and honesty, were particularly popular in a culture embedded in Confucian philosophy. The bluish tinge of the glaze of this pot is a typical feature of Korean porcelains and becomes all the more pronounced if the glaze is thickly applied. Korean art abounds in symbolism: the design of phoenixes on this piece was associated with longevity and good fortune.
Plain white wares, with their connotations of purity and honesty, were particularly popular in a culture embedded in Confucian philosophy. The bluish tinge of the glaze of this pot is a typical feature of Korean porcelains and becomes all the more pronounced if the glaze is thickly applied. Korean art abounds in symbolism: the design of phoenixes on this piece was associated with longevity and good fortune.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Piltong (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | White porcelain, carved and incised |
| Brief description | Brush pot, porcelain with openwork and incised design of two phoenixes; Korea, Joseon, C19 |
| Physical description | White porcelain brush pot featuring openwork decoration of two phoenixes with outspread and upswept wings. They are surrounded by leaf and scroll-like foliage. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Content description | Original description from accession register: Brush pot, porcelain, with pierced design, covered with a pale blue glaze. Corea; 18th century. Cylindrical with a pierced design representing two phoenixes. |
| Style | |
| Gallery label | 2. Scholarly objects and self-cultivation
Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
Brush rest and inkstone made by Im Yi-nam in 1991
In a traditional Korean house, the sarangbang was the master’s study room where his possessions were carefully curated, reflecting his tastes and scholarly pursuits. Nature was important to the seonbi (Neo-Confucian virtuous scholars). This water dropper, yeonjeok, shaped like Mount Geumgang, was used to wet an inkstone, byeoru, when grinding an inkstick. The brush pot, piltong, is decorated with a phoenix, a representation of longevity and good fortune, while the openwork pipe rest, dambaetdae, contains portrayals of lotus flowers, a Joseon symbol of the honourable scholar. [86]
White porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue and copper red, and white porcelain
Water dropper given by Mr Aubrey Le Blond
Brush rest and inkstone purchase supported by V&A Members
Museum nos. C.98-1937, C.447-1920, C.343-1912, FE.35:1 & 2-1991(19/01/2021) |
| Object history | Purchased from Mr. Alfred S. Hewlett, Esq. Register entry 6 April 1920. |
| 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 Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) and came to dominate ceramic production in the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). Kilns produced large objects for use at court as well as smaller domestic pieces for private customers. In about 1800 they began to produce elegant white openwork porcelain objects such as this brush pot. Painting and calligraphy were essential accomplishments of the Joseon gentleman, and this piece would have graced a scholar's study, serving its function but also delighting the eye. Plain white wares, with their connotations of purity and honesty, were particularly popular in a culture embedded in Confucian philosophy. The bluish tinge of the glaze of this pot is a typical feature of Korean porcelains and becomes all the more pronounced if the glaze is thickly applied. Korean art abounds in symbolism: the design of phoenixes on this piece was associated with longevity and good fortune. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Other number | RP 2666/20 - RF number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.447-1920 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 3, 2000 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
