Bottle, White Porcelain with Rope Design in Iron-brown Underglaze

This bottle displays the solidity and curvature that are characteristic of white porcelain from the early Joseon period. A strand of rope, expressed in iron-brown underglaze, is twined around the narrow neck, dangling down with a loop at the end. The simple design—with an abundance of open space and bold, unhesitant strokes—still manages to convey a strong impression, and attests to the superior craftsmanship of the period. In fact, the heightened control of the rendering and the balance between the design and blank space transcend craftsmanship to become fine art.
Some Korean characters (Hangeul) were written in iron-brown glaze on the bottom of the base, but their meaning cannot be deciphered. Still, it can be presumed that this bottle was produced after the invention of Hangeul (1443).