A BLUE-AND-WHITE PORCELAIN COVERED BOX

Details
A BLUE-AND-WHITE PORCELAIN COVERED BOX
CHOSON DYNASTY (15TH CENTURY)

The steep-sided shallow container set on a raised foot ring is decorated in underglaze blue with an arabesque design beneath a blue- tinged glaze; the flattened domed cover decorated en-suite with a central scrolling flower motif surrounded by a band of lappet designs -- 1 3/4in. (4.5cm.) x 2 7/8in. (7.4cm.), in fitted wood box

Lot Essay

PUBLISHED
Koyama Fujio et al, Korean Ceramics of the Li Dynasty in Sekai Toji Zenshu, Vol. 14, (Tokyo: Kawade Shobo, 1956), pl. 95
Gompertz, G. St.G. M., Korean Pottery & Porcelain of the Yi Period (London: Faber, 1968), pl. 88b
Akaboshi Goro and Heiichiro Nakamaru Five Centuries of Korean Ceramics - Pottery and Porcelain of the Yi Dynasty (Weatherhill, Tankosha: New York, Tokyo & Kyoto 1975), color pl. 16
Rhee, Byung-chang, Yi Ceramics in Masterpieces of Korean Art, Vol. 3 (Tokyo, 1978), pl. 284, p. 268

According to Akaboshi and Nakamaru, the exquisite covered box could be the oldest example of Korean blue-and-white porcelain in existence. The appearance of blue-and-white ware in korea was influenced by the development of similar wares in Ming China, but it is not known exactly when the first pieces were made in Korea. The cobalt contains impurities, which accounts for its iron-brown tinge under the glaze. there is documentation suggesting that domestic Korean cobalt was in use in the late 15th century owing to a shortage of imported Chinese pigments.