White Porcelain Bottle with Inlaid Peony Design

This is a white porcelain liquor bottle from the early days of the Joseon Dynasty. It is 29.4 cm high while the diameter at the mouth is 7.4 cm and that at the base is 9.6 cm. Having a short neck, a mouth spread like a trumpet, a plump body and a slightly high heel, it is a typical liquor bottle of early Joseon. There is a pair of black inlaid lines around the neck, and a simple vine design resembling a series of waves is inserted in between them. Black inlaid designs applied to white porcelain were first found in the Goryeo celadon made during the 15th century. The enamel coating around the neck area has deteriorated and black spots have appeared. In addition, there is a small crack on the heel, and also minute cracks on the surface. The gloss on the surface is gray white with a light blue tone, giving the soft feel of the white inlaid porcelain of the Goryeo Dynasty. A large, simple peony blossom decoration inlaid in black on the soft white background of the white porcelain matches well with plump, stable shape of the bottle.