I'm wondering about these strange dragon-turtles, and how they might be construed as 'emblems of longevity' like the herons?
Animals are associated with longevity, such as these turtles, due to beliefs that they were long-lived.
The long white feathers of cranes were thought to resemble the white hair of the elderly, which is another way that animals became associated with longevity beliefs. When seen in pairs, like on this Korean vase, they can be read as longevity for a married couple.
I just love the way they're drawn on this vessel and the way each pair of creatures interacts with each other!
Thank you! I agree, there's a great dynamism in the way they sort of swirl around the vase.
A lot of these pieces are listed as "porcelain with cobalt underglaze." I thought that the silica content in porcelain was so high that it didn't need glazes to become glassy. So are these pieces glazed or unglazed? What makes a decoration underglaze? Is it just a general term for slip with pigment or something more?
You are correct that porcelain does not require a glaze but often received one for decorative purposes and for protection of the design.
The cobalt decoration can be applied under the glaze or on top, like a raised enamel. When you see "cobalt underglaze," it indicates the the cobalt was applied first. Cobalt at this time was imported from the Middle East into China, and was very expensive to produce. This is a luxury good made for high level officials and Confucian scholars at the court.
Ah I see. Thanks!
Tell me more.
Those animals are turtles! They were associated with longevity because they lived long lives.
I thought they were turtles! Why did they depict them with heads like dragons? Is this just how they depicted reptilian animals?
I agree that the tortoises, especially the one on top, has a very dragon-like head. I believe this was just a very stylized depiction of a tortoise as I have seen turtle depicted similarly in other Korean objects in our collection but let me see if I can find out more.
Thanks!