An exquisite slip-inlaid celadon-glazed kundika [water vessel], Goryeo dynasty, 13th century | 高麗十三世紀　青釉象嵌團花紋淨瓶

A private collector, Japan

Kochukyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo. 

Kobayashi Tadashi et. al., Masterpieces of the Okada Museum of Art, volume one, Tokyo, 2019, p. 62, no. 43.

This exquisite celadon-glazed kundika from the 13th-century Goryeo dynasty is a remarkable example of Korean ceramic artistry and Buddhist ritual significance. Known as jeongbyeong in Korean, this type of kundika was traditionally one of eighteen ritual objects used by Buddhist monks to hold water, and their design reflects both practical and symbolic purposes. Unlike conventional bottles or ewers, water was poured into the vessel through the spout on its shoulder and dispensed through the tall, octagonal mouth at the top. The slightly bent mouth and gently narrowing body are characteristic of the elegant proportions associated with Goryeo celadon wares.

The decoration on the present jeongbyeong exemplifies the celebrated sanggam (inlay) technique, which reached its zenith during the 13th century. Intricate designs, including peonies in full bloom, leaves, and branches, are inlaid with white slip on the body, while the lower portion near the foot features a fretwork pattern. Additional motifs, such as double lotus and peony branch designs, adorn the areas around the spout and the lower part of the mouth. The octagonal mouth itself is further enhanced with finely inlaid scroll designs, demonstrating the technical and artistic sophistication of Goryeo potters.

The jeongbyeong is covered with a semi-transparent, light green celadon glaze, a hallmark of Goryeo ceramics. The glaze's translucency creates a jade-like effect highly prized during the dynasty and reflects the refinement of techniques perfected at kilns in Gangjin and Bu’an, in southwestern Korea. These regions, rich in high-quality stoneware clays, were renowned for producing celadon wares of extraordinary quality for the royal court, aristocracy, and Buddhist temples.

A closely related jeongbyeong vessel is in the is in the National Museum of Korea, Seoul, accession no. Deoksu452. Another similar example of a slip-inlaid celadon jeongbyeong is in the collection of the British Museum (accession no.1936,1012.198.a-b), see National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Korean Collections at the British Museum, Seoul, 2016, Cat.71, p.310, no.181.

來源

日本私人收藏

壺中居，東京

出版

小林忠編，《岡田美術館名品撰》，卷1，東京，2013年，編號43

此件高麗王朝的青瓷淨瓶，為韓國陶瓷藝術與佛教儀式文化之重要範例，展現高麗青瓷的極致工藝與深厚的宗教意涵。淨瓶最初為佛教僧侶常用的十八種法器之一，主要用於盛水，其設計兼具實用性與象徵意義。與一般的花瓶和執壺不同，此類器物的水由肩部的短流注入，並由長頸一段的八角形瓶口倒出。瓶口微微彎曲，瓶身自上至下逐漸內收，造型比例優雅，充分體現高麗青瓷器物的藝術美感。

淨瓶上的裝飾完美體現了十三世紀盛行的「象嵌」（sanggam）工藝。瓶身以白色化妝土象嵌出盛開的牡丹、枝葉等圖案，下部則飾以回紋圖案。肩部短流周圍及瓶口下部飾有雙蓮花與牡丹枝葉紋，頸部八角形瓶口則加以精緻的卷草紋，充分展示高麗陶工的技術精湛與藝術才華。

淨瓶通體施半透明淡青釉，釉色晶瑩如玉，為高麗青瓷之典型特徵。此類釉色效果反映了高麗窰工藝的高度成熟，特別是西南部的康津郡與扶安窰場，以其豐富的優質陶土，燒製出供應皇室、貴族及佛教寺院使用的極品青瓷。

此件淨瓶與韓國國立中央博物館所藏一件的淨瓶極為相似（館藏編號Deoksu452）。此外，大英博物館亦藏有一件相關的青瓷象嵌淨甁（館藏編號1936,1012.198.a-b），可參見韓國文化財研究所編，《高麗青瓷在大英博物館的收藏》，首爾，2016年，頁310，編號181。