water dropper, unknown maker from Korea

Artwork Overview

water dropper
1700s–1800s, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
water dropper , 1700s–1800s, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
Where object was made: Korea
Material/technique: porcelain; glaze
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Length (Height x Width x Length): 5.5 x 6.5 x 9.5 cm
Object Height/Width/Length (Height x Width x Length): 2 3/16 x 2 9/16 x 3 3/4 in
Credit line: Gift of Marsha and Christopher Haufler
Accession number: 2017.0112
Not on display

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Label texts

Salina Art Center: Shattering the Void: Realms of Meaning in East Asian Art

The water dropper is a writing implement used to add small amounts of water to an ink stone. Before the use of bottled ink, scholars in East Asia ground ink cakes on ink stones to produce liquid ink for writing and painting. The opening is small in order to control the exact amount of water. The delicate orchid depicted on this object , a favorite subject of scholar painters, resonates with the water dropper’s use by the literati because orchids not only represent spring, but also symbolize the ideal characteristics of a Confucian gentleman: fidelity and integrity.

Exhibitions