Catalog (40)

19th Century Korean Blue and White Porcelain Bottle with Beautifully Painted Peony Sprays. The peony is an ancient symbol of love and prosperity in Korea. 7.5h x 4.5w inches, 19h x 11.5w cm.

Rare and Outstanding early 19th Century Korean Porcelain Jar with Dynamic Underglaze Painting of Copper Red and Iron Brown and an Incredible Thick Dripping Blue Glaze. Unquestionably one of the best and most creative Korean porcelains you will ever see. There really is no other like it, from the design to the copper-red and iron-brown brushwork, from the potting to the glaze, it is truly one-of-a-kind. It has all of the best characteristics of Korean ceramics, whimsical yet technically accomplished, with unaffected sincerity, earthy soulfulness, absence of artifice, and effortless reverence for and affinity with nature. The dripping blue glaze on the surface, and the peach tones that come through the white porcelain glaze, make it all the more special. It will always reward repeated viewing and touching. 10 inches tall x 10 inches wide, 25.5 x 25.5 cm.

Blue and White Porcelain Jar from the Korean Royal Bunwon Kiln, with peonies (symbol of prosperity), bullocho (mythical longevity plant), and the Seven Treasures motif rendered in two different styles on opposite sides of the jar. The seven treasures are gold, silver, lapis, crystal, coral, agate, and pearls. Height: 4.25 inches, 10.75 cm. Circumference: 17 inches, 43 cm. A nice piece with the royal kiln glaze, but not in very good condition, with repairs, touch-ups, and a few small chips to the rim. This is a rare opportunity to own a beautiful royal Bunwon porcelain at a great price.

Exceptional Example of a Joseon Dysnasty Blue and White Painted Porcelain Bottle with a lovely design and form, exquisitely painted in the classic court style. The sensitive and skilled painter of this fine bottle began with a light blue ring around the neck and two darker rings at the foot under the Youi scroll design that encircles the bottom of the body. The Youi is a mushroom-shaped scepter or talisman. Having defined his canvas, he composed a most idyllic microcosm of butterflies, a Korean symbol of happiness, fluttering past peonies that spray in every direction, contrasting with the very small and quietly perched bird. The peony is a symbol of love and prosperity. The form itself is graceful and subtle and begins with a gently flared mouth atop a narrow neck that subtly and almost imperceptibly flares out to an elongated round body with a low hip that gently curves downward to the foot with a recessed base. The stone-like heft of the bottle and color of the pure white clay, along with the skilled painting make it certain that this fine blue and white porcelain bottle was made at the royal Kumsari kiln. There is a repair to the neck. Height: 10 inches (25.5cm); Circumference: 18.5 inches (47cm).

Korean Antique Blue Porcelain Fish Form Water Dropper. The fish was a Confucian and Buddhist symbol of tireless dedication and constant vigilance, because fish never close their eyes, even when they are sleeping. The water dropper was one of the Joseon Dynasty scholar's most prized possessions. He would use it to mix his ink when writing letters, painting, and writing poetry. A scholar's water dropper was a symbol of his refinement and good taste. In keeping with the Korean Confucian gentleman's aesthetic, artifice and colorful designs that catered to base instincts were to be avoided, while a natural and deep respect for nature was to be upheld. This lovely water dropper in a fish shape was likely treasured by its 19th Century owner. 3 X 2.5 X 1 inches, 7.5 x 6.5 x 2.5 cm.

Rare Korean 19th Century Joseon Dynasty 18-Piece Set of Miniature Porcelains for Ritual Use. 1 to 3.25 inches, 2.5 to 8.25 cm.

19th Century Joseon Dynasty Korean Blue and White Porcelain Dragon Jar with a Splendid Face. Height: 9.5 inches, 24 cm; Circumference: 31 inches, 78.75 cm.

19th Century Korean Porcelain Bowl with Thick Blue/White Glaze and a Beautiful Surface. Height: 3 inches, 7.5 cm; Circumference: 14 inches, 35.5 cm.

19th Century Korean White Porcelain Bottle with a Beautiful Bluish-White Glaze and Voluptuous Form. 7.5 inches high x 15.75 inches circumference. 19 cm high x 40 cm circumference.

19th Century Korean Pure White Porcelain Bottle of elegant form and with the blue drip glaze desired by collectors. The mouth has been professionally repaired. Height 10. 75 inches, 27.5 cm.

Blue and White Porcelain Memorial Tablet for Park Gi Il from Miryang, Korea, dated May 1830. It declares a long genealogy in the royal Min clan. This epitaph was written upon the passing of Park Gi Il of Miryang in May 1830. It memorializes him and lists his ancestors' names. An important piece of history and a rare and beautiful work of calligraphy painted with blue cobalt on white porcelain. 7.5 x 6 inches, 19 x 15 cm. framed

12th Century Conical Pure Celadon Bowl with perfect color and rare, sublime form. 6w x 2h inches, 15w x 5h cm.

Very Rare 13th Century Celadon Bowl with Elaborate Gold Painting. Gold-painted celadons were produced during a very short period of time in the late 13th Century in Korea, so they are very rare. Black and white slip inlay is used for the design of the Willow Trees (ancient symbol of peace and contentment), Duck Family (symbol of blissful family life), Pampas Grass (symbol of autumn), Bullocho (mythical longevity plant), Lotus Blossoms (symbol of purity and rebirth), Chrysanthemums (symbol of well-being and abundance), and Orchids (symbol of modesty). Real gold paint is used throughout, for the bullocho, the pampas flowers, the irises, the ducks, the three rings that circle the interior of the bowl at the top to create a band for the inlaid floral scroll, and the two rings at the bottom of the bowl interior that create a solar center for the gold chrysanthemum. The exterior of the bowl is as elaborately inlaid as the interior, with gorgeous floral scrolls and sprays throughout, and a ring of stylized lotus blossoms at the bottom. Old gold lacquer repair like you see here is considered desirable by serious collectors and adds value along with character and history to a very rare, true masterpiece of celadon. 7.5w x 2.75h inches, 19w x 7h cm.

12th Century Celadon Bowl with Lotus Blossoms Carved in High Relief, beautifully and masterfully rendered. The lotus blossom is an ancient symbol or purity and rebirth. 7w x 3h inches, 17.75w x 7.5h cm.

19th Century Korean Pure White Porcelain Bottle from the Royal Bunwon Kiln, with incised rings circling the shoulder (where the neck meets the body of the bottle). Excellent Condition. Height: 11 inches, 28 cm.

12th Century Lotus Form Celadon Cup with delicately incised peonies (symbol of prosperity), an incised floral scroll around the outer rim, and a carved chrysanthemum (symbol of abundance) in the bottom of the cup. The base and body of the cup are in the form of lotus blossom petals, a symbol of rebirth and purity. There is some loss to a few petals. 3w x 2.5h inches, 7.5w x 6.5h cm.

Late 14th/Early 15th Century Rare and Important Early Buncheong Bowl with Black and White Slip Inlaid geese (symbol of faithfulness), cranes (symbol of faithfulness and longevity), and orchids (symbol of modesty and purity). This is an important piece because it was created right on the cusp between Goryeo Dynasty celadon and Joseon Dynasty buncheong, and has elements of both, making it a rare transitional piece. The inlay is from the Goryeo Period, but the brushed white slip encircling the bowl is from the Joseon Period. This is the only transitional piece we have ever offered for sale, so this is a very rare opportunity to nicely complete a Korean ceramics collection. The delightful inlaid motifs have a rare feel of both the Goryeo and Joseon aesthetic, and the color of the bowl is a blend of the final phase of Goryeo celadon and the very earliest phase of Joseon buncheong. This extraordinary bowl beautifully and perfectly captures the transition as well as, and even better than, some of the rare transitional pieces you see in museums. 5.5w x 1.5h inches, 14w x 4h cm.

Finely Detailed Late 12th Century Inlaid Celadon Bowl with chrysanthemums (symbol of fertility or plenty), ryui scepters in the form of the mythical bullocho longevity plant, lotus blossoms (symbol of purity and rebirth) and floral scrolls. 5.5w x 1.75h inches, 14w x 4.5h cm.