Goryeo Celadon Lotus Shape Water Dropper with Knead Design

This is a water dropper fired during the Goryeo period.
In the Korean peninsula, water droppers were considered one of the "Four Treasures of Stationery" and were highly valued by literati.
A tool used to pour small amounts of water onto an inkstone for making ink, its versatility led to the creation of a variety of shapes to suit the tastes of literati.
This piece is shaped like a lotus flower, a symbol of good fortune that is also considered to represent purity, compassion, wisdom, and prosperity.
It resembles a bud, and is similar to the lotus bud held by Kannon, the Bodhisattva who acts as a saving spirit.
The marble-like clay is made using the Knead technique, which involves mixing multiple types of clay.
Knead clay from the Goryeo period is made using three types of clay: celadon clay, white clay, and red clay, and is then coated with a nearly transparent celadon glaze and fired.
This creates beautiful marble-like patterns with clearly defined white, gray, and black.
Because Knead clay is made from a mixture of multiple clays, it is prone to breaking, and not many of these remain, even among Goryeo celadon pieces.
This particular piece is particularly well-crafted using the fragile clay, with the difficult technique of layering the petals multiple times using relief engraving.
There is a hole at the top for pouring water, a curved cylindrical spout at the waist, and a handle at the other end.
The bottom still retains the stone grain marks from the firing process.
The dark celadon glaze makes the petals stand out in three dimensions, exuding a beauty that is truly like a treasure.

There is no conspicuous flaws. It has good luster throughout and is in good condition.