Storage Jar thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Storage Jar

1750-1850 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This storage jar dates to the late Choson period (1392-1910) and is decorated with a motif of flowers and butterflies in under-glaze copper red. Almost all extant examples of copper-decorated white porcelain date from the eighteenth century or later. Because of the greyish-white glaze and faint blue or green hue, it is believed to have been made in a local kiln. The technique of decorating ceramics with copper-red developed in Korea in the 12th century when it was used on celadon wares, but it was virtually unused in the making of white porcelain until the mid 18th century. Because of the unpredictability of copper, the colour would sometimes blur or turn green or brown after high-temperature firing.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Thrown porcelain with underglazed copper red decoration
Brief description
Storage jar, porcelain, under-glaze copper red decoration, Korea, 1750-1850
Physical description
Storage jar of porcelain, decorated with flowers and butterflies in copper red pigment under clear glaze
Style
Credit line
Given by Dr W. M. Tapp
Summary
This storage jar dates to the late Choson period (1392-1910) and is decorated with a motif of flowers and butterflies in under-glaze copper red. Almost all extant examples of copper-decorated white porcelain date from the eighteenth century or later. Because of the greyish-white glaze and faint blue or green hue, it is believed to have been made in a local kiln. The technique of decorating ceramics with copper-red developed in Korea in the 12th century when it was used on celadon wares, but it was virtually unused in the making of white porcelain until the mid 18th century. Because of the unpredictability of copper, the colour would sometimes blur or turn green or brown after high-temperature firing.
Bibliographic references
  • Birds, Bats & Butterflies in Korean Art.
  • London: Sun Tree Publishing, Singapore,
  • 1996.
  • pp.12-13.
  • Liz Wilkinson
Collection
Accession number
C.91-1927

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Record createdFebruary 3, 2000
Record URL
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