Anonymous
Korean (Goryeo Period, 1392-1910)
Kundika (Ritual Water Sprinkler, date?)
Bronze
Colby College Museum of Art
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Choate
1964.134
Anonymous
Korean (Goryeo Period, 1392-1910)
Kundika (Ritual Water Sprinkler, date?)
Stoneware with celadon glaze
Colby College Museum of Art
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Choate
1964.125
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWe have a third Korean Kundika we discovered last week. It is a blond color with spout; looks like this item from the British Museum:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=262391&partid=1&searchText=celadon+korea&fromADBC=ad&toADBC=ad&numpages=10&images=on&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx¤tPage=1
Stoneware kundikas mostly appeared from the 10th-13th centuries in Goryeo Korea. Celadon kundikas were from around the 11th-12th centuries and inlaid celadon kundikas were primarily between the 12th-13th centuries. The inlaid technique used on inlaid celadon wares was called "sanggam". "...one of the charactaristic features of Koryo metalwork is faceting, which can often be seen on the spouts of Koryo kundikas." (Portal, pg 96)
ReplyDeleteThe design of the kundika originally came from India, went to China and was used for Buddhist ritual, and then was used in Korea for the same purposes. It is a Buddhist ritual tool that sprinkles pure water during a ceremony. According to the "Handbook of Korean Art, Earthenare and Celadon", it was particularly used in an "abhiseka" ceremony during which "a master transmitted his teaching to a chosen disciple by sprinkling water on his head." Water is put into the kundika through the opening on the side, and sprinkled out through the top. Bronze kundikas are the type most frequently found.
ReplyDeleteKundikas are also associated with the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (or Guan Yin as she's otherwise known). For example, a kundika appears with her in the painting "Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara." When a kundika appears next to Avalokiteshvara, it holds a willow branch.
ReplyDeleteThe sources I have used thus far (without a full works cited as of yet) are:
ReplyDelete1.Handbook of Korean Art, Earthenware and Celadon
2.The Ceramic Art of Korea
3.The Art of the Korean Potter
4.http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/06/eak/ho_23.115.htm
5.http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/b/bronze_kundika_water_sprinkle.aspx
Kundikas
ReplyDeleteStoneware Kundika: 10th-13th century
Celadon Kundika: 11th-12th century
Bronze Kundika: 12th – 13th century
Kundikas were used in Goryeo Korea to sprinkle pure water in Buddhist ceremonies. The water was placed in the kundika through the spout on the side and sprinkled from the top. An example of a Buddhist ritual involving a kundika would be the Abhiseka ritual during which a Buddhist master would sprinkle water on his student to symbolize the passing of knowledge. Kundikas were used in regular households to hold water as well. The design of the kundika originally came from India and was passed to China before coming to Korea. The design of celadon kundikas was later embellished in the 12th-13th centuries with an inlaid technique called saggam. Despite the beautiful designs created by this technique, bronze kundikas were more popular. Kundikas are associated with the Bodhisattva of compassion Avalokiteshvara (or Guan Yin as she's otherwise known). For example, a kundika appears with her in the painting "Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara." When a kundika appears next to Avalokiteshvara, it holds a willow branch meant to cure sickness and keep malicious spirits at bay.