Joseon Dynasty Water Dropper with Under Iron Glaze Tiger Design

A water dropper made during the mid-Joseon Dynasty.
A water dropper was a tool used to pour a small amount of water onto an inkstone when polishing charcoal, and was highly prized as one of the Four Treasures of Stationery in this era.
Their simple functionality reflects the tastes of literary figures, and they come in a variety of shapes and decorations.
This item has a square (cubic) body decorated with tiger motifs, and the entire body is coated with a grayish glaze.
Patterns are drawn on top of it using iron glaze, and the facial features such as the eyes and nose are sprinkled over the top surface like a shadow.
In Chinese culture, the tiger is a symbol of power, wealth, and protection from evil spirits, and as a result of this, it was loved even among the powerful people on the Korean peninsula.
However, compared to auspicious patterns such as dragons and cranes, they are rare in number, and are especially rare in water droplets.
By submerging it in water, you can fill it with water from the square corner and let water out from the tiger's mouth.
Even among those who practice calligraphy in Japan, there are no people who use water droplets, and water droplets are highly recommended as a new part of calligraphy culture.

There is one crack on the side, but only in the glaze. There are no other noticeable flaws.Although the surface is slightly aged, it has a good luster.