Brush holder with pomegranate and inscription

19th century

Not on view

Joseon scholars collected and used tasteful writing and painting accessories, such as water droppers, ink stones, brush stands and brush holders. This brush holder is an excellent example of openwork technique and underglaze painting. It has an intricate reticulated design of leaves, two pomegranates and two man (卍) characters (symbols of good fortune). The leaves and pomegranate have incised details and further ornamented with color. The leaves are painted in cobalt blue, along with two lines encircling the mouth and base. The man character is within a circle and unpainted, distinguishing it from the floral motifs. Fittingly, the pomegranates are within the leaves and decorated with copper red. Characters and pomegranates are common decorative symbols, but they are infrequently paired as motifs

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

백자 청화 동화 석류과 만자 무늬 필통
白磁靑畫銅畫石榴卍字文筆筒
Title: Brush holder with pomegranate and inscription
Period: Joseon dynasty (1392–1897)
Date: 19th century
Culture: Korea
Medium: Porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue and copper red
Dimensions: H. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm); Diam. 4 3/16 in. (10.6 cm)
Classification: Ceramics
Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2025
Object Number: 2025.474
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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