White Porcelain Square Bottle with Embossed Decoration of the Four Gentlemen, late 18th century

Korea, Joseon Dynasty

This quadrangular bottle, with softened shoulders and a short, slightly flared neck, belongs to a rare group of Korean white porcelains with embossed decoration inspired by the literati repertoire. Each side is adorned with a subtly rendered plant motif in discreet relief that enlivens the surface without disrupting the rigor of the volume. The ensemble refers to the theme of the Four Gentlemen—plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—emblems of the literati's virtues.

The construction of the body by assembling plates, as well as the application of the finely outlined low-relief decoration, directly link this piece to an example preserved at the Museum of Oriental Ceramics in Osaka, of very similar dimensions, dated to the second half of the 18th century and attributed to the kilns of Bunwon-ri, in Gwangju, a production center for porcelains intended for the court under Joseon.

The quality of this bottle lies in the balance between the geometric crispness of the form and the sobriety of the decoration. The subtle relief avoids any technical display and favors a quiet appreciation of the surface. The glaze has a slightly ivory white characteristic of late Joseon porcelains. The base, with its rectangular recess, slight firing adhesions, and undecorated finish, is consistent with early production.

The piece comes with a Japanese collector's tomobako.

Dimensions: h. 21.5 cm; side approx. 10.7 cm.

Comparative Bibliography
Masterpieces of Korean Art, Tokyo, 1978, p. 143, pl. 151.
The Korean Relics in Japan 2: Tokyo National Museum, Osaka Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Yamato Bunkakan, Seoul, 1995, p. 316, no. 128.