Buncheong Barrel-shaped Vessel with Scroll Design in Underglaze Iron

This type of barrel-shaped vessel was used as a container to hold water, wine, soy sauce, or urine. The small ones were for holding water and wine, whereas the bigger ones were used as night stool pan. This buncheong vessel originated in the days when celadon ware was on the decline in the late Goryeo Period; it was produced from the early Joseon Period until the Japanese invasion in the late 16th century. It has height of 18.7 cm, length of 29.5 cm, and mouth diameter of 5.6 cm. The mouth is slightly opened and attached to the middle of the body, with the oval support fixed on the opposite side. The jar is designed to stand on the side as well by having the support attached on the side. Its surface is pasted with white clay by using a pine brush. On top of it is a design of scroll drawn freely using oxidized iron paint. A design of a cross is drawn on the side of its rotund body. The free-hand drawing of scroll with natural shading on top of a thick layer of white clay clearly reflects the distinctive feature of buncheong ware from the Joseon Period. Indeed this vessel is one of the masterpieces that display the distinctive features of buncheong ware created by an art of free-spirited, bold simplification as well as the use of the brushed slip technique, which pastes white clay with a pine brush; thus leaving the marks of pine needles.