Dragon Jar
Asian Art
On View: Asian Galleries, South, 2nd floor
This large jar is a late variant of the dragon jars that were used in courtly settings to hold large flower arrangements. The shape of the jar and the motif of the dragon amid clouds both originated in China, but the loose, spirited drawing, minimum of extraneous decoration, and grayish cobalt color combine to identify this as a Korean piece.
MEDIUM
Porcelain with cobalt decoration under glaze
DATES
late 19th century
DYNASTY
Joseon Dynasty
DIMENSIONS
20 x 13in. (50.8 x 33cm)
Diameter at mouth: 6 11/16 in. (17 cm)
Diameter at base: 7 1/2 in. (19 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
80.120.1
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Stanley L. Wallace
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
From "Korean Art Collection in the Brooklyn Museum" catalogue:
The proportions of this porcelain jar with its elongated body and raised mouth show that it was made in the late nineteenth century. Much of the body is covered with a large cloud and dragon design in which a four-clawed dragon appears with an exaggerated expression on its face. Porcelain jars decorated with a dragon motif continued to be produced in the Joseon period and were used at court ceremonies to hold flowers, water, or wine. The glaze was wiped off the base of this jar. Though it has kiln grit on its base, it is still considered an excellent, medium-quality blue-and-white porcelain work.
Accession card:
Baluster-shaped white porcelain temple vase with under glaze-cobalt-painted decoration of two dragons amid clouds. Recessed base. Cylindrical neck with band of cloud signs. Band of scepter-head-shaped designs below base of neck.
CAPTION
Dragon Jar, late 19th century. Porcelain with cobalt decoration under glaze, 20 x 13in. (50.8 x 33cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Stanley L. Wallace, 80.120.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 80.120.1_PS11.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 80.120.1_PS11.jpg., 2017
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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What is this?
That's a jar from the Korean Joseon Dynasty. The decoration is of a blue and white dragon. Dragons played an important role in court rituals during the Joseon period, and represented the absolute authority of the king.
Dragon jars like this would be displayed at banquets, and used to hold flowers.
