Celadon Ewer in the Shape of a Fish-dragon

A celadon ewer of the twelfth century, the height of Goryeo celadon, 24.4 cm high and 10.3 cm across the foot. It takes the form of an imaginary creature with a dragon's head and a fish's body. The spout is the dragon's head, and white slip is laid on the teeth, the fins and the tip of the tail. The hair of the face and the fins are rendered very finely. Scales stand out across the body, and at its middle a large fin like a rake is shown front and back. The handle is a lotus stem draped naturally over the body, and the lid is modelled on the fish's tail. It is strange and yet complete — one imagined animal with every part it needs. The jade glaze and the fine incision of fins and flowers show a practised hand. Among the celadons modelled on auspicious creatures and plants it is one of the most inventive.

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Where it is

Region

Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Designation

National Treasure · 국보