Examples of Objects on Display

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  OCTAGONAL WATER DROPPER

  Porcelain with grapes and landscape design in underglaze cobalt blue and iron brown

  Joseon dynasty, 1783
  Height 13.1cm, width 19.4cm
  Acc. No. 01044
  Photograph: MUDA Tomohiro

  The body was beveled into an octagonal form and each facet bears a scene from “The Eight Views of Xiaoxiang”, a famous theme often adopted in Chinese landscape painting. The top surface has a decoration of grapes depicted in vivid brushwork, also a popular motif among the literati. Small sculptures of a mythical animal haetae are applied on the spout and handle, their decorative element being enhanced by the iron brown accents. The male haetae on the handle seems to be calling out to the female on the spout, which is looking back to the male as if responding. Haetae is a legendary beast of Korea, which is thought to be living under water. It is said that it stores a large amount of water in its stomach and blows it out. Haetae has been thus worshipped as a deity that prevents fire and wards off misfortune, and they are often seen as decorative motifs on water droppers or buildings related to water. This piece is surprisingly large for a water dropper but the motifs are executed with high skills and care, making it one of the most important Korean water droppers. The inscription on the base indicates that it was produced in 1783.

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  MOUNTAIN- SHAPED WATER DROPPER

  Blue-and-white porcelain

  Joseon dynasty, 18 – 19th century
  Height 23.6cm, width 11.8×12.0cm
  Acc. No. 01017
  Photograph: MUDA Tomohiro

  The form of this white porcelain water dropper was inspired by Mt. Geumgangsan in Gangwon-do, one of the most celebrated mountains in the world known for its steep, sublime peaks. There are many legends regarding the mountain and it is said that many famous temples scattered in the area. In the latter half of the Joseon dynasty, “The Eight Views of Xiaoxiang” which is a Chinese theme was gradually being replaced with paintings of Korean landscapes, known as chingyong sansu or true-view landscape. Mt. Geumgangsan was particularly preferred as the subject, similar to how Mt. Fuji was popularly depicted in Japan. With the increase in demand, stylized chingyong sansu was adopted in the decoration of ceramics and, moreover, water droppers in the shape of Mt. Geumgangsan were produced. This work has a pavilion-like building near the peak and inside the hermitage underneath is a gentleman-like figure. It is nothing but a representation of the world of yugen, the ineffable, subtle profundity which can be pursued by detaching oneself from the ordinary life. Cobalt blue was applied to parts of the buildings and peaks. The mountain can be viewed 360 degrees, showing various aspects depending on the angle to be viewed.

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  PEACH-SHAPED WATER DROPPER

  Blue-and-white porcelain with bee design

  Joseon dynasty, 19th century
  Height 12.4cm, width 11.6cm
  Acc. No. 01049
  Photograph: MUDA Tomohiro

  The peach is one of the leading motifs that symbolizes longevity. It is said that the tree of pantao or peaches of immortality owned by Xiwangmu, the Queen Mother of the West, blossoms once every 3,000 years and bear fruit, which granted immortality to those who consumed it. The peach form of the water droppers was created from the people’s wish for secular benefits in the time of the latter half of the Joseon dynasty. This piece has cobalt blue on the branch, leaves and the tip of the fruit, delivering a three-dimensional effect. The body bears a rare depiction of bees settling on the fruit, as if being enticed by the sweet fragrance. This piece is one of the fine examples that has a particularly sophisticated, handsome form as well as a beautiful, smooth surface.