Ceramic bearer of water and spirits

Name: Turtle-shaped bottle
(Buncheong ware with Sgraffito peony design and iron-brown underglaze)
Period: Joseon Dynasty, 15th century
Status: National Treasure No. 260

This bottle has a flat, round body with a mouth that resembles the head of a soft-shelled turtle. It was used as a portable bottle for water and liquor during the Joseon period. Pieces of Buncheong ware (traditional Korean stoneware with a bluish-green tone) such as this were usually used for everyday life.

The upper side of the bottle has a distinctive, full blooming peony design set against a thick layer of white pottery. Its design is very bold, and the technique used in the details is seemingly flawless.

The outer area surrounding the peony design was scraped down and painted with an iron-brown glaze, which in turn makes the peony look more distinctive.

*The photos and text for Treasure Trove are provided by the National Museum of Korea. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.