Buncheong Flat Bottle with Sgraffito Lotus Design

The flat bottle (pyeonbyeong) is a vessel type that was widely popular in the 15th century across white porcelain, buncheong ware, and black-glazed ware; this buncheong flat bottle with sgraffito lotus design conveys a sense of generosity and abundance owing to its moderately rounded form. Shaped to bring out a soft quality free of sharp angles, and carved with curvilinear designs that harmonise with its form, it is regarded as one of the finest examples among flat bottles. Particularly notable is the skill with which the surface is boldly decorated with a lotus design, using both incised-line (johwa) and reverse-carving (bakji) techniques together. The outlines of the lotus flower and stem are rendered with free, vigorous incised lines, while the remaining background is cut away in the bakji technique, giving an impression that is both refreshing and full of energy. Dots were added to the stamens and calyx of the lotus to emphasise the shape of the fully open flower, revealing the care taken by the craftsman who made it. It is covered with a clear, transparent glaze of a bright greyish-blue colour, though in places the glaze did not melt fully and has pooled. Traces of sand used as spacers during firing remain on the contact surface of the foot, and the glaze was applied even to the inner base. Its imposing form is well matched by the bold, refreshing decorative design.

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Where it is

Region

Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물