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National Treasure

White Porcelain Jar with Grape and Monkey Design in Underglaze Iron

백자 철화포도원숭이문 항아리 ( 白磁 鐵畵葡萄猿文 壺 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification National Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties White Porcelain Jar with Grape and Monkey Design in Underglaze Iron
Quantity 1 Item
Designated Date 1962.12.20
Age Early 18th century (Joseon)
Address National Museum of Korea, 137, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Made during the late Joseon period, this white porcelain jar has height of 30.8 centimeters, mouth diameter of 15 centimeters, and foot diameter of 16.4 centimeters; it is characterized by a voluminous body with broad shoulders gradually narrowing toward the base. There are a large grapevine motif brushed around the upper body in dark iron red and a band on the outside of the upright mouth. The firm, unrestrained brush strokes depicting the vine and fruits so efficiently and beautifully suggest that the painting was made by a professional artist rather than the potter. With the milky white glaze with light blue tint evenly coating the entire body, the jar is often regarded as one of the two greatest masterpieces representing the artistic achievement of the white porcelain ware of Joseon, the other being the White Porcelain Jar with Grape Design in Underglaze Iron (National Treasure No. 107) currently stored in the Ewha Womans University Museum in Seoul.