Catalog (29)

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

13th 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, because it rises above the muck of the pond to show its face to the sun. 7w x 3h inches, 17.75w x 7.5h cm.

14th Century Korean Inlaid Celadon Cosmetic Box with a rich color right in the middle of the blue-green of the Goryeo Period and the gray-green of the Joseon Period. The chrysanthemum's many petals is an ancient symbol of an abundant life or fertility. Encircled with a key fret thunder pattern and rolling clouds motif. A rare and gorgeous piece. 3.25 inches wide x 1.75 inches high; 8.25 cm wide x 4.5 cm high.

Lovely 13th Century Korean Celadon Chrysanthemum and Bullocho Bowl. The chrysanthemum is a Korean symbol of plenty, as represented by its many petals. The mythical bullocho plant is an ancient symbol of longevity. 4.5 inches (11.5cm) wide by 1.5 inches (4cm) high.