Anonymous
Korean (Choson Period, 1392-1910)
Storage Jar (date?)
Porcelain? with underglaze slip designs
Colby College Museum of Art
Gift of Adelaide Pearson
1960.176
Tenative label: This piece is a Joson (1392-1910) period puncheong (earthenware) vase. The symbols on the front and back are the Chinese characters for ‘water’ and ‘earth,’ respectively. Other notable symbols include the large peony on the sides of the vessel and the scroll-work ‘clouds’ around its upper portion. The earth and water symbols, which represent opposite but complementary principles traditional Korean philosophy are appropriately situated on opposite sides of the puncheong ware. Also notable is the carefree nature of the brushstrokes decorating the piece; these decorations were done in using a brown iron oxide underglaze slip, which has the property of absorbing quickly into the clay body of the vessel, complementing a more loose calligraphic style. The peony is a traditional Korean symbol of wealth, while clouds and the use of two of the traditional ‘five elements’ suggest a Chinese Daoist philosophical or Korean folk/Shamanistic religious influence. The abundance of symbolism on the piece and the vase form suggest use as a decorative piece among the Korean upper class; perhaps as a status symbols to indicate interest in these philosophical considerations.
This is 1960.176
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are noted as an auspicious symbol here: http://www.imamuseum.org/explore/artwork/679, which, along with the five elements symbols (are there all of them?), would lend this to a folk classification. The form of the vase also appears to be asymmetric, and the brush strokes are not so sharp and careful as well too.
ReplyDeleteThe two characters are : water and earth
ReplyDeleteNote: relating to the use of water and earth as on the Korean flag, might this vessel act as a sort of nationalistic icon; or perhaps less politically as an affirmation of various philosophical ideas. Also, the pure plurality of symbols (peonies?, characters, and scroll-work clouds?) along with the asymmetric design might indicate a sort of symbolism onto itself. Also cf. this: the water and earth are on opposite sides of the vessel, as they are on opposite sides of the flag and apparently are opposite principles. Finding a likely physical function for this vessel will prove helpful I think.
ReplyDelete