South Korea - Antiquities

This guardian figure represents a fusion of human and beast, a common motif symbolizing protection in Chinese lore. Crafted from pottery, the figure is a testament to the era's sculp...

The central floral motif, possibly representing peonies or another culturally significant flora, is surrounded by intricate patterns and border designs typical of the period. Pieces ...

Made from the standard orange earthenware body of Han green glazed tomb models, this miniature milling station features a circular millstone and a foot...

The bowl's design features fluid, dynamic brushstrokes typical of Annamese pottery, where cobalt blue underglaze was used to create intricate patterns before a clear glaze was applied. The artwork, with its foliage and floral motifs, suggests a connection to the natural world—a common theme in Vietnamese art. Such items were highly traded, and their recovery from shipwrecks helps us understand the extent of maritime commerce in Southeast Asia during the 15th and 16th centuries. This piece embodies the craftsmanship and aesthetic values of the period, providing insights into the cultural and economic contexts of its time. Dates : 15th century Le Dynasty Region : North Annam, Vietnam Type : Dish Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Hoi An Ship Diameter : 17cm Reference : Double checked with reference to the original catalogue Butterfield Treasures Hoi An Hoard Auction Catalogs / San Francisco Butterfields 2000 * Vietnamese trade ceramics Around the mid-14th century, Vietnam developed its ceramics production technology by producing blue and white porcelain, and began to export it overseas. During this period, China Ming Dynasty implemented a policy of lifting the ban from 1371 to 1657 and restricted foreign trade. This served as a good opportunity in the trade history of Vietnamese ceramics, and ceramic exports...

This vessel is well-modeled as a recumbent winged lion with detailed decorative elements. It features a grimacing face with large protruberant eyes under heavy brows and a gaping mou...

This figure represent a guardian haitai. The style of the figurine, with its facial features and remnants of paint, suggests it could be a part of funerary art, which was common in Chinese culture during these periods. Date : Northern Wei...

Stoneware painted with underglaze cobalt blue and remnants of overglaze enamel. Valuable piece housed in a few major museum collections in the United States. Year/Period : 15th century Region : North Vietnam, Vietnam Type : Ewer Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Hoi An Ship Reference : 1) Phoenix Art Museum - OBJECT NUMBER 2000.108.1 2) Asian Art Museum of San Francisco - Annamese Collection 3) Butterfield Treasures Hoi An Hoard Auction Catalogs / San Francisco Butterfields 2000 * Vietnamese trade ceramics Around the mid-14th century, Vietnam developed its ceramics production technology by producing blue and white porcelain, and began to export it overseas. During this period, China Ming Dynasty implemented a policy of lifting the ban from 1371 to 1657 and restricted foreign trade. This served as a good opportunity in the trade history of Vietnamese ceramics, and ceramic exports...

The wear on its surface is a testament to its age and underwater journey, giving it a unique patina that only time and nature can create. Traces of once-painted nature and chicken il...

This statue appears to be a stone sculpture of an apsara, a celestial nymph from Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Despite its fragmentary state, the sculpture conveys grace and movement. The apsara is captured in a dynamic pose, perhaps once part of a larger tableau, playing a flute-like instrument. The facial features are serene yet expressive, with faint traces of pigmentation hinting at the sculpture's original polychromy. The black stand was made in Hong Kong at the time of the acquisition. Date : Northern Wei...

The lamp shaped as a kneeling female figure wearing long robes, her face with a large nose, deep-set eyes and pronounced cheeks, holding an infant in her lap, her cylindrical and elo...

This small ewer is an exquisite example of Qingbai ware, known for its pale blue-tinged glaze. The vessel showcases the advanced ceramic techniques and artistic sophistication of the...

This pottery brazier, a burial artifact from the Han Dynasty, features quadrilateral sides that slope inward and a base with slits for ventilation. Each side is adorned with animal motifs and geometric patterns. The brazier stands...

Flying two heavenly beings depicted in the stone. They are celestial beings called an Apsara. While having the same fragment and shape, another work I uploaded exhibits small dots on...

The design features a central medallion surrounded by eight panels, each intricately painted with traditional Chinese botanical and floral motifs. The number 8 in Chinese culture is associated with prosperity and is considered very auspicious. This may reflect the traditional Chinese cosmological concept of the "Bagua," which are eight trigrams used in Taoist philosophy to represent fundamental principles of reality, seen in various aspects of Chinese culture, including the I Ching and Feng Shui. The central circle with radiating petals is also a representation of perfect geometric harmony, reflecting the balance and unity which are key elements in Chinese aesthetics. The use of symmetry and balance is seen as a way to represent the harmony of the universe. Period : Qing Dynasty, Kangxi Period Production Date : 1690-1699 Made in : Jingdezhen Destination : Netherland Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Vung Tau...

Crafted from fine clay, the pillow's surface boasts a sophisticated carved design featuring a floral motif that is both symmetrical and organic. The interplay of the earthy tones and...

With peony and chrysanthemum plants flowering on a terrace, butterflies in flight. Period : Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng Period Production Date : C 1725 Made in : Jingdezhen Destination : Netherland Found/Acquired : Southeast Asia , South China Sea, Ca Mau...