Korean Bronze Bottle Goryeo Dynasty

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An antique Korean bronze bottle of bulbous pear form with a long neck and flared open mouth from Goryeo Dynasty … Read more An antique Korean bronze bottle of bulbous pear form with a long neck and flared open mouth from Goryeo Dynasty (918 AD-1392 AD) circa 12-13th century It was thought that the type of bottle with such harmonious form and proportion was inspired from the Chinese porcelain prototype "Yu Hu Chun" (Jade Jar Spring) and were commonly found among mortuary objects in the tomb of Goryeo period. Theory is divided in terms of their use. One school thinks they were exclusively used in ritual setting such as flower offering vases in Buddhist temple. The other school thinks they also serve some secular purposes. The metal analysis of these types of bottles shows significant content of lead, which suggests that they were probably not used for culinary functions.
The bottle is striking in its minimalistic elegant form. Its surface is most unadorned othering than two decorative circumventing lines under its neck and above the base. The base was cast separately, and the joins shows expected corrosion consistent with the making process. What is really visually striking is the deep green-bluish encrusted patina that has developed due to the prolonged exposure to earth elements in the ground. That renders the piece a very attractive and archaistic appeal.
For reference of analysis of these bottles, see page 108 of "Korean Art and Design" by Beth McKillop.
For a similar bottle in the collection of Brooklyn Musuem no. 74.159.2; Portland Art Musuem no. 2016.118.1. See less