Catalog (29)

5th Century Korean Silla Kingdom Jar in a striking form on a classic cut out foot. It has a wonderful patina. A similar example is in the permanent collection at Cornell University. A great piece with an impeccable provenance. 9.5 inches (24cm) height, 27 inches (68.5cm) circumference.

5th Century Korean Gaya Kingdom Water Jar. The Gaya were a confederation of tribes in the central southern coast of Korea, with their own unique culture and art. Coil-built and wheel-thrown (built from coils and then completed on the wheel) stoneware with a bulbous body marked with a highly visible rope impressed design, a tall flared neck incised with three equally spaced horizontal bands made of twin turned ridges separating three areas of wavy incised patterns, culminating in a delicately delineated rim. The neck is tall to prevent spilling the water inside while carrying the jar. The color is grayish blue-beige, the modulated gray coloring due to carbon trapping inherent in reduction firing (this is the intentional reduction of oxygen in the kiln). Traces of sugary-appearing incidental natural wood ash glaze deposited on the shoulder of the pot during wood firing. The silica in the wood ash that blows through the kiln causes this accidental but desirable effect. A couple of flea bite (very minor) chips on the rim which do not detract from the overall beauty of the vessel, otherwise Very Good Condition. This jar has a very strong visual presence as well as a sense of ancient Korean history. 8.5 inches (21.5cm) height x 21 inches (53.5cm) circumference.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

15th Century Buncheong Bowl with a Combination of Hand-Inlay and Stamp-Inlay. Every inch of this wonderful bowl is filled with endlessly swirling inlaid patterns. 5.5w x 1.5h inches, 14w x 4h cm.

Antique Onggi Water Jar (Muldok) from Gyeongsang Province with a beautiful dark brown color. 15.5w x 9h inches, 39.5w x 23 cm. Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

Antique Onggi Water Jar (Mul Tongi) from Gangwon Province with lovely finger-painted designs. The potter creates the whimsical designs by running his finger (or thumb) through the still-wet glaze. 14.5w x 14.5h inches, 37w x 37h cm (the width includes the handles). Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

Antique Onggi Grain Jar from Chuncheong Province with charming finger-paintings of stylized orchids (nancho) and dragon (yong kurim) and hand-pinched 'dragon lines' (yong tti) and rings (son tti). The potter creates his free-hand and whimsical 'paintings' by running his finger (or thumb) through the still-wet glaze. The orchids are a symbol of modesty and purity, and the dragon is an ancient guardian, protecting the grain in the jar that will provide important nutrition to the family as a staple of the Korean diet. 16w x 17h inches, 40.5w x 43h cm. Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

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.

Antique Onggi Jar for Preserving Seeds from Gyeongsang Province, with charming finger-painting designs. Height: 9 inches, 23 cm; Circumference: 34 inches, 86.25 cm. Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

Rare Antique Onggi Medicinal Pot and Cover from Gyeonggi Province, with a beautiful deep, dark brown color. This pot is formed from two halves, a bottom half and a top half, that are put together to form this striking and unusual shape, with a ridged seam around the circumference of the pot. The clay is rich in iron and the glaze is made from clay mixed with wood ash and a little raw lead. The result is a rich dark chocolate brown. Height: 8 inches, 20.5 cm; Circumference: 26.5 inches, 67.25 cm. Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

Antique Onggi Rice Jar from Jeolla Province, with a fantastic color and surface, and wonderful finger-paintings of stylized orchids. Height: 10.25 inches, 26 cm; Circumference: 36 inches, 91.5 cm. Onggi are the most 'Korean' of Korean pots. All words related to onggi are of pure Korean origin, not based on Chinese characters. They are a beautiful form of Korean folk art.

Very Fine and Rare Goryeo Dynasty Inlaid Celadon Cosmetic Box, 12th to 13th Century. The last photo here is a similar example that was in Christie's September 22, 2005 Sale of Japanese and Korean Art. We are sure you will agree that the Christie's example is not as refined, detailed, and beautifully designed as the piece that we offer here, with its inlaid lotus, geese, willow tree, and reeds. The condition is also excellent. On the side, you can see two small spaces where the potter's fingers covered the glaze. This is original to the piece so it is not a condition issue. It is in pretty much its original condition. The Christie's example was estimated at $10,000 to $15,000, 10 years ago. Dimensions: 4.75 inches wide, 3 inches high (50% larger than the Christie's example, which was 3.25 inches wide). 12 cm wide and 7.5 cm high.