<em>Jar with Lid</em>, late 19th century. Porcelain with under glaze cobalt decoration, Height: 7 7/8 in. (20 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Bernice and Robert Dickes, 78.247.1a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 78.247.1a-b_PS11.jpg)

Jar with Lid, late 19th century. Porcelain with under glaze cobalt decoration, Height: 7 7/8 in. (20 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Bernice and Robert Dickes, 78.247.1a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 78.247.1a-b_PS11.jpg)

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The wealth and nobility associated with peonies was appropriate for this work, identified as an Unhyeon work. Unhyeon works were made for the Unhyeon palace in Seoul after 1864, when Heungseon Daewongon's son ascended to the throne.

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Jar with Lid

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, South, 2nd floor

Both of these jars bear a mark on the bottom that reads “Unhyeon,” indicating that they were made specifically for use in the Unhyeon palace in Seoul, birthplace of King Gojong (reigned 1864–1906), who later declared himself Korea’s first emperor. Probably used for storage of wet foodstuffs, these jars were of the highest quality available in their time, and as a result they were designated for a royal residence by the overseers of the official porcelain kilns.

MEDIUM Porcelain with under glaze cobalt decoration

Place Made: Korea

DATES late 19th century

DYNASTY Joseon Dynasty

DIMENSIONS Height: 7 7/8 in. (20 cm) Diameter at mouth: 5 1/16 in. (12.8 cm) Diameter at base: 5 1/16 in. (12.8 cm) Diameter at widest point: 9 in. (22.9 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 78.247.1a-b

CREDIT LINE Gift of Bernice and Robert Dickes

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION This nineteenth-century porcelain jar has an upright mouth and a voluminous round body. The peony and vine design that covers almost the entire body did not exist before the nineteenth century in Korea, and this development seems to be a direct result of the introduction of Qing-dynasty (Chinese) porcelain ware to Joseon. The word "Unhyeon" is written on the base of the jar in cobalt blue, revealing that it was made for use in Unhyeongung after 1864. Still in good condition, the jar has a matching lid. The foot has some kiln grit on it from the firing. From "Korean Art Collection in the Brooklyn Museum" catalogue.

EXHIBITIONS

Arts of Korea

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, South, 2nd floor

CAPTION Jar with Lid, late 19th century. Porcelain with under glaze cobalt decoration, Height: 7 7/8 in. (20 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Bernice and Robert Dickes, 78.247.1a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 78.247.1a-b_PS11.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 78.247.1a-b_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2016

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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