Catalog (29)

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.

Exceedingly Scarce Set of Three Iron Age Korean Pots with Exquisite Color and Beautiful Form. 4th to 1st Century BC. You are unlikely to ever see another Iron Age Korean pot offered for sale, much less a set of three. The remaining examples are all in museums or tightly held private collections. These prehistoric pieces are finely potted and made from soft and sandy red clay. They are aesthetically striking in both color and form and are historically significant. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the scholar/collector/aesthete. Right Pot Dimensions: 16.25 inches (41cm) circumference, 3.25 inches (8.5cm) height. Middle Pot Dimensions: 18.25 inches (46.5cm) circumference, 4 inches (10cm) height. Left Pot Dimensions: 12.5 inches (32cm) circumference, 2.75 inches (7cm) height.

Extremely Rare and Exquisite, Incised 10th Century Korean Lotus Celadon Bottle. This is the earliest Korean celadon we have ever acquired, and the oldest we have seen offered for sale. Height: 10.5 inches (27 cm). You can see a similar example in the 2005 exhibition catalogue, The Color and Shape of Celadon, plate 50, exhibited at the 3rd World Ceramic Biennale.

Extremely Rare Set of Three Mumun Pots from the 3rd Century BCE from the Koejongdong site in Daejon near the Geum River. A similar example from the National Museum of Korea can be seen in Plate 34 in The Prehistory of Korea by Kim Jeong-hak. Prehistoric Korean pottery is so scarce outside of museums, that this is the only time we have ever acquired any. According to Professor Choi Jong-taek of Korea University, these everted lipped pots with their distinctive color and texture date from the period in Korea when the Bronze Age was giving way to the Iron Age, and the Mumun pottery period was ending with these types of pots with a greater hardness and fired at a higher temperature than previous Mumun pots, that is, about 300 BCE. This was a brief but very important transitional period into higher technology and culture in Korea, from the the end of the Mumun Pottery Period to the beginning of the Iron Age, so pieces from this defining period are rare. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a collector. Dimensions from tallest to shortest are: #1 - 4 inches height x 11.5 inches circumference (10 cm height x 29 cm circumference); #2 - 3.5 inches height x 14 inches circumference (9 cm height x 35.5 cm circumference); #3 - 3 inches height x 12.5 inches circumference (7.5 cm height x 32 cm circumference).

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.