Skip to main content
Flask with Waterfowl and Plant Decoration
Flask with Waterfowl and Plant Decoration
Flask with Waterfowl and Plant Decoration

Flask with Waterfowl and Plant Decoration

DateFirst half of 15th century
MediumGlazed stoneware (buncheong) with black-and-white clay inlaid (sanggam) decoration
DimensionsHeight: 5-3/8 in. (13.7 cm)
Credit LineGift of Brooks McCormick Jr.
Object number2003.7
Terms
  • Chosen
Object TypeCeramics
On View
Not on view
With its technique, subject, and style, this small flask teaches an especially instructive lesson on the cultural transmission and transition from the refined Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) aesthetics of the Buddhist court and aristocracy to the prevailing Neo-Confucian ethics of the early Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) and its demand for wares of a simpler nature. The materials and decoration of such robust glazed stoneware vessels (in Korean, buncheong) derive from Goryeo dynasty green-glazed stonewares, which are termed “celadons” in the West. In both traditions inlaid black-and-white clay paste designs (a technique called sanggam in Korean) are surrounded by a white slip (liquid clay) overlaying the undecorated areas of the vessel surface, which is sealed by a pale green glaze. Even the patterned bands at the sides and abbreviated scenes of waterfowl among willows and reeds on this Joseon flask relate to imagery on Goryeo inlaid celadon bowls and other vessel types from the second half of the 12th to late 14th centuries (see Smart Museum object number 1995.85). The motifs on this piece and on other inlaid Joseon buncheong stonewares are distinguished from their Goryeo models by the freedom and vigor of the designs.
Buddhist Arhat (K: Nahan)
Unknown Artist
12th century
Unknown Artist
12th - 13th century
Unknown Artist
12th - 13th century
Cup Stand
17th century
Yoon Kwang-Cho (尹光照, Yun Gwang-Jo)
circa 1998
Wine Bottle with Dragon and Flaming Pearl Decoration
Unknown Artist
First half of 19th century
Bowl
Unknown Artist
17th century
Untitled
Gim Yi-kyung (金益寧)
2003
Wild Geese and Reeds
Gim Yun-Bo (金允輔)
n.d., probably early to mid- 20th century
letter
H. C. (Horace Clifford) Westermann
May 13, 1970