Joseon white porcelain vase

A white porcelain bottle made in the 19th century at Bunwon, an official kiln of the Joseon Dynasty.
This vessel shape, known as the ‘Turnip bottom (Shimokabura) ’ style, is one of the most representative vessel shapes from the late Joseon period, influenced by contemporary Chinese pottery.

Compared to white porcelain bottles made before this time, this bottle features a large, spherical body and a long neck. The rim is not curved outwards, but is instead rolled back, enhancing the linear expression.

There are many examples of the same vessel shape decorated with various techniques such as blue and white porcelain, full lapis lazuli glaze, intaglio engraving, relief engraving, etc. Although there are similar examples of all-white pieces, they do not make up a large proportion of the total, and among these, only a handful can be called excellent pieces, with excellent white porcelain color tone and firing conditions.

Even when they come on the market, most of them have mediocre decorations, or even if they are all white, the color tone and glaze are not up to par, so I pass on purchasing them. When I find an excellent white porcelain bottle that meets all the requirements, I am very happy, and I try to purchase it as much as possible.

This piece has the ideal white porcelain color, without the excessive blue tinge common in later white porcelain, nor does it lean towards gray. The glossy, lustrous glaze indicates that it was fired well.

The gentle curve that connects the neat mouth to the body gives a very gentle impression.

There are two chips about 5mm in size in the mouth.
During the Joseon Dynasty, it was customary to intentionally chip the rims of used vessels. As a result, scratches are common, and many pieces have multiple scratches. This piece has minimal damage and is in good condition, with its original shape clearly visible.

It is very easy to use as a flower vase, and one of its charms is that it shows flowers beautifully.
For reference, we have included a photo of a similar item we have handled in the past. This is a relatively large bottom vase, so you can enjoy arranging a wide range of flowers, from a single flower like a daffodil to small branches.

This elegant white porcelain bottle will make you feel pure just by looking at it.

[Responsible for: Mao Otsuka]