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Water dropper: C.447-1984

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An image of Water dropper
An image of Water dropper
Current Location: Gallery 29 - Korean Gallery

Maker(s)

Pottery: Unknown

Entities

Categories

Description

Water dropper with leaping carp design. Porcelain, slab-built, painted in cobalt-blue and glazed. This cubical water dropper has a hole in the centre of the top for filling and a small (repaired) spout on one side. The top is outlined in underglaze-blue and painted with a leaping carp among waves in a large medallion with double outline. The glaze is of pale bluish-white colour; it has been wiped from the base which during firing was placed on a sandy support.

Notes

History note: Unknown before donor

Legal notes

Gompertz Gift

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1984) by Gompertz, G. St. G. M., Mr and Mrs

Dating

19th Century
Choson Dynasty (1392 - 1910)
Circa 1800 - 1850

Note

The subject of the decoration was intended to encourage diligent study, as the carp, which can turn into a dragon, symbolises the student, who after passing the examinations can become an official. The subject is also common in nineteenth-century folk painting.

Components of the work

Decoration composed of glaze
Water Dropper composed of porcelain Height 6 cm Width 8.5 cm Width 8.8 cm

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: C.447-1984
Primary reference Number: 16505
Box number: 93

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 30 April 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Water dropper" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/16505 Accessed: 2025-12-05 07:17:33

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/16505 |title=Water dropper |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 07:17:33|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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