Brush Holder (light celadon)

Brush Holder

Brush holder with square bottom and four openwork surfaces. Decoration with honey-comb patterns,bands of meander and lotus leaves. Light celadon glaze.

Object ID
Korea_035

Age
early 12th century (?)

Material
Ceramics / celadon

Color
light celadon

Height
12.2 cm

Length
10.8 cm

Width
10.5 cm

Condition
Very Good

Price
on request

Description

The brush holder has a square base plate that is elaborated to standfeet at the corners and shows curved elements in between. Four openwork surfaces were built up at the bottom plate. Then the side plates were stabilized by a common white border. The decoration of the sidewalls of the brush holder was done in the specific „kakkibōp-technique“. That means openwork patterns by carving, relief or inlay. In our case each of the surfaces is broken through by interesting honey comb patterns. At the top each oft he side walls is finished at the top with a meander band and to the bottom with lotus leaves. The box and the bottom are completely covered by a light celadon glaze except the stand elements. The manufacturing process was very difficult. Firstly, simple engraving techniques were used. When potters intended to produce several objects with the same decoration, they developed the method to preform patterns by the help of stamps or formed reliefs, and finally the motifs were cut through the clay. This was a method for the decoration of Korean Celadon objects. It challenged excellent skills from the craftsmen, particularly because of the stability. Above that, proceedings in burning and drying made those objects very breakable. Therefore, the „kakkibōp-techniques“ were only used for luxurious Seladon wares like brush holders, headrests or cosmetic boxes. [1] (HV)

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[1] Choi, Kun (2000): Reines Seladon. In: Handbuch der Koreanischen Kunst. Steinzeug und Seladon. Wasmuth Verlag. Tübingen. 60-69