Storage jar with design of two dragons chasing flaming pearls
Korea, Gyeonggi-do province, Gwangju, Bunwon kiln, Storage jar with design of two dragons chasing flaming pearls, 19th century, porcelain with cobalt-blue pigments under transparent glaze; gold lacquer repairs, Gift of Robert and Sandra Mattielli in honor of Donald Jenkins, public domain; images courtesy of Korean National Research Institute for Cultural Heritage, 2004.7.10
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- Title
Storage jar with design of two dragons chasing flaming pearls
- Related Titles
original language: 白磁靑畵雲龍文壺
original language: 백자청화 구름 용무늬 항아리
- Artist
- Date
19th century
- Period
Korea: Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)
- Medium
porcelain with cobalt-blue pigments under transparent glaze; gold lacquer repairs
- Dimensions (H x W x D)
19 in x 14 in diam.
- Collection Area
Asian Art
- Category
Ceramics
- Object Type
jar
- Culture
Korean
- Credit Line
Gift of Robert and Sandra Mattielli in honor of Donald Jenkins
- Accession Number
2004.7.10
- Copyright
public domain; images courtesy of Korean National Research Institute for Cultural Heritage
- Terms
- Place Made
Created in: Gyeonngi province
In East Asia, dragons are associated with the sky and rain, and thus regarded as divine powers bestowing agricultural abundance. Here, a single four-clawed dragon, snarling and writhing his way across the surface of the vessel, chases a magical flaming jewel. Stylized clouds appear above and below him.
During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, dragons were very popular designs for Korean porcelains among scholars and wealthy merchants. Large jars such as this one were used to store tea leaves, dry grains, or pickled vegetables.
- Exhibitions
2016 Five Buddhas: A Korean Icon's Journey Through Time Portland Art Museum
2019 APEX: Steven Young Lee Portland Art Museum
