A collection of eight antique Korean porcelain water droppers
Joseon dynasty, 18th century
used to drip a desired amount of water onto the inkstone. Water droppers were one of the simple and elegant implements that decorated a gentleman's study (sarangbang), where the literati or ruling class enjoyed poetry, painting and calligraphy.
1)Water dropper in the shape of a frog with blue underglaze decoration to the top.
2)
White porcelain water dropper of nonagon form with crackled glaze.
3)
Water dropper of octagonal form, the top decorated in underglaze blue with floral sprays.
4)
White porcelain water dropper of ring form.
5)
Water dropper modelled as a carp with underglaze cobalt blue details. The carp is a symbol of success in one's endeavors.
6)
Blue and white water dropper in the shape of a fan, the top illustrating a scene of two sailing boats on a sea surrounded by mountains. The sides with the characters 'Il, Chun, Su, Seng', meaning One, Heaven, Water, Life. "The calligraphy on this piece is possibly Confucian in origin. It introduces the metaphysical concept, 'water is born first from heaven'."
7)
Water dropper of ovoid form with the top decorated with foliate design.
8)
Water dropper of plain cylindrical form with the top of decorative lines and swirls.
Illustration:
Korean Ceramics of the Yi Dynasty, pg. 21.-