Page 71 - Korean Buncheong Ceramics, Samsung Museum Collection (great book)

essay in this volume). A fifteenth-century jar displays peonies, one of the more frequent motifs on
buncheong vessels with incised and carved decoration (cat. 31). Though at first glance the decora-
tion on this jar may appear inlaid, in fact the large peony flowers and leaves are in relief: the
contours and descriptive lines were deeply incised, and the background surface carved away. The
main design motifs, therefore, are slightly raised with respect to the rest of the vessel’s surface.
The peony sprays, each consisting of a characteristically generous blossom and oversize, organi-
cally sprouting leaves, are exuberant and untamed. Like this robust jar, buncheong employing the
sgraffito technique tends to have a bolder, sometimes coarser appearance than pieces with inlaid
decoration — and that is a large part of their appeal to contemporary viewers.

Catalogue 30b Flask-shaped bottle with decoration of a dog. Korean, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910); second half of the 15th century.
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Buncheong with incised design, H. 8 ⁄4 in. (20.8 cm), W. 7 ⁄2 in. (19.1 cm), Diam. of mouth 1 ⁄8 in. (4.8 cm),
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Diam. of foot 3 3 ⁄8 in. (8.5 cm). Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul
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