Celadon Prunus Vase with Inlaid Fish and Dragon Design

This is a typical prunus vase (maebyeong) of the early Joseon period, with a mouth that flares outward, shoulders as round as a circle, a narrow waist, and a lower body that widens broadly. The body is divided into upper, middle, and lower sections: the upper section at the shoulder bears a stylised lotus-petal design, below which runs a broad band of ruyi-head (yeouidu) motifs. On the broad middle section of the body, fish-dragons (eoryong) — creatures with a dragon's face and a fish's body — are carved in two places, and between them are carved a design of a cut lotus branch and small wild ducks. The combination of the mysterious fish-dragon motif with the everyday, lyrical motifs of lotus flowers and wild ducks creates a distinctive atmosphere. The glaze is clear and transparent, of a pale light green, without crazing in the glaze layer, and has a soft, subdued lustre. The foot is flat but overall slightly concave at the centre, and traces of coarse white sand used as spacers during firing remain. It is a representative work bearing inlaid designs that inherit the tradition of Goryeo celadon in form, subject matter, and inlay technique, while showing in its manner of expression the new characteristics that emerged in the Joseon period.

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Where it is

Region

Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물