Page 121 - Symbols_of_Identity_Korean_Ceramics_from the Chang Collection
P. 121
ainted with a typical landscape scene of mountains and
Pwater (Kr: sansu-do, Ch: shān shuĭ tú), this water drop-
per has the outline of a fan. The sides of the water dropper
are decorated with cursorily painted scrolls. The spout is lo-
cated at the far left, top corner of the small vessel, while the
venting hole resides at the top center. The base is flat and
left unglazed, and the unglazed surface of the biscuit is an
orangish color.
Water droppers were used to add water to the inkstone when
grinding sticks of ink for painting or writing calligraphy. The
consistency of the ink was important for creating different
effects, and controlling the amount of water that was added
onto the inkstone was therefore crucial. The literati often
102. used fans, the form that this water dropper takes, as painting
Water dropper surfaces. The orangish color of the biscuit is due to oxidiza-
19th–early 20th century, Joseon tion during the firing process.
Porcelain with underglaze cobalt decoration
H: 2.9 cm, W: 10.8 cm
119
