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National Treasure

Celadon Kundika with Inlaid Willow, Lotus, Reed, and Mandarin Duck Design

청자 상감연지원앙문 정병 ( 靑磁 象嵌蓮池鴛鴦文 淨甁 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification National Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Celadon Kundika with Inlaid Willow, Lotus, Reed, and Mandarin Duck Design
Quantity 1 Item
Designated Date 1962.12.20
Age The 12th century (Goryeo)
Address Kansong Art Museum, 102-11, Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

This celadon kundika of Goryeo (918-1392), which has height of 37 centimeters and base diameter of 8.9 centimeters, is a Buddhist sacrificial vessel used in a ritual to purify the offerer. This type of water sprinkler is known to have originated in India but was introduced to Goryeo via China, where Korean artisans in the medieval times produced some of the finest kundika bottles remaining today. As one of such masterpieces, this ritual bottle features an elegant body with the surface evenly coated with translucent jade-green glaze and inlaid with willow, reed, and lotus as well as a pair of mandarin ducks in white slip. The bottle also displays inlaid peony blossom designs on the opposite sides of a long neck, slender, octagonal spout rising above it, and another spout attached to the shoulder designed to be used to fill the bottle with water. The latter spout originally had a matching cover that is now missing. The bottle is highly praised among art historians for the creative inlaying technique used for surface decoration as well as the elegant body made with extremely fine-grained clay and clear jade-green glaze coating it.