Brush Pot
1800-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This porcelain pot was used to hold brushes for writing and painting. Carved and glazed before firing, its walls form a design of a squirrel eating grapes from a vine. The curved contours of the squirrel’s body mirror the edge of the vine leaf. Painting and calligraphy were essential accomplishments of gentlemen during the Choson period (1392–1910), and this piece would have graced a scholar’s study. Ceramics, metalwork and furniture decorated with scenes from nature were much appreciated in Korea, where every educated gentleman would gather a few fine pieces to use at his desk.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain, carved and glazed |
| Brief description | Brush pot with openwork decoration of squirrel and grapevine, porcelain, Korea, 1800-1850. |
| Physical description | The brushpot is cylindrical with straight sides, and a greenish-white glaze. Two panels of openwork decoration show a vine stem. grapes and squirrel; and a gourd with fruit, flowers and leaves. Colour: white |
| Dimensions |
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| 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. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This porcelain pot was used to hold brushes for writing and painting. Carved and glazed before firing, its walls form a design of a squirrel eating grapes from a vine. The curved contours of the squirrel’s body mirror the edge of the vine leaf. Painting and calligraphy were essential accomplishments of gentlemen during the Choson period (1392–1910), and this piece would have graced a scholar’s study. Ceramics, metalwork and furniture decorated with scenes from nature were much appreciated in Korea, where every educated gentleman would gather a few fine pieces to use at his desk. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.340-1912 |
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| Record created | February 3, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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