Jar with Plum, Bamboo, and Poem Design in Underglaze Iron

In underglaze iron paint, a plum tree is drawn on one side of the jar, while depicted on the other side is bamboo and poems written by Lee Jeong-gui, one of the representative literary men of the mid-Joseon. The poems are written, side by side, as follows: “Careful in speech, yet enough to reveal the entire world, and follow murkiness and clearness from time to time. Its emptiness may allow it to fill all things, and its whiteness in quality may reveal its nature.” This jar is an outstanding work of art in which plum and bamboo, the symbol of seonbi’s integrity and spirit, are drawn in a delicate stroke, along with the poems that reveal the refined tastes of the literati.