Dragon-shaped Pitcher, Celadon with Incised Scales and Fish Design

This pitcher is shaped like a mythical creature with the head of a dragon and the body of a fish, which appears to be dramatically leaping up out of the water. The dragon head forms the spout of the pitcher, while the body features a pair of fins that are energetically spread, as well as a raised tail fin. The vessel is reminiscent of traditional images of dragons that show them bursting out of water into flight. This is one of the most representative celadon wares of the 12th century, the peak of Korean celadon, for its aesthetic dynamism and extraordinary jade-colored glaze. This pitcher greatly exemplifies a sanghyeong (象形) celadon, which was a type of celadon modeled after the physical shape of a person, plant, or animal. Sanghyeong celadon are meant to visually illustrate the most essential characteristics of their model, so they often exaggerate the features of the original for greater impact.