Cleveland Museum of Art

Octagonal Water Dropper Decorated with Flower Design

Date

late 1700s

Medium

Porcelain with blue and white decoration

Culture

Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)

Department

Korean Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

A water dropper was an essential utensil for a literati man of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) in writing calligraphy. It was used to add water, by small drops, to an inkstone while grinding an ink stick. This work has a small spout in the shape of a cicada. This decorative element not only adds a sense of whimsical sensibility to this scholarly utensil, but also aims to symbolize the aspiration for scholarly achievement—as loud as the cicada’s song. A small spout in the shape of a cicada is placed on one of the octagonal sides. This decorative element not only adds a sense of whimsical aesthetic sensibility to this scholarly utensil, but also aims to symbolize the aspiration for scholarly achievement—as loud as the cicada’s song.

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