Page 116 - Symbols_of_Identity_Korean_Ceramics_from the Chang Collection

97. his peach-shaped water dropper is held upright on an
Water dropper Tintegral base molded into the shape of a coiled twig,
Second half of 18th–19th century, Joseon which stems up the back cleft of the peach and forms the
TL results: fired between 200 & 350 years ago spout of the vessel. A venting hole is located along the cleft
Porcelain with underglaze cobalt and iron oxide decoration on the front of the peach. Two leaves grow out from each
H: 8.5 cm, W: 6.5 cm side of the twig base, and the sides of the peach are decorated
with four blossoms. The leaves are decorated in cobalt blue;
and the blossoms, spout, and tip of the peach are decorated
in iron-brown. The underside of the base is covered with the
remains of kiln grit. A small object can be heard rattling in-
side the water dropper when it is picked up.

The venting hole along the front cleft of the peach is used to
control the flow of water from the spout with a finger. The
small object inside the water dropper may help to slow down
the flow when pouring water onto an inkstone.

Peaches are associated with the Daoist attainment of im-
mortality and have sexual connotations, which some Korean
potters made use of by exaggerating the features of a peach.
They are often featured in Korean art as one of the symbols
of longevity. According to Chinese mythology, the Queen
Mother of the West (Ch: Xī Wáng Mŭ, Kr: So Wang-mo) had
an orchard that contained peaches which would ripen once
every three thousand years. Once consumed, it would grant
mortals immortality. The five petals of the peach blossoms
represent the “five blessings” (see cat. 96).

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