Goryeo Marbled Celadon House-Shaped Water Dropper

A Marbled celadon water dropper fired during the Goryeo Dynasty.
A water dropper is a tool used to add a small amount of water to an inkstone when grinding ink.
In Korea, it was highly valued by literati as one of the "Four Treasures of the Study".
Due to the literati's discerning tastes, water droppers were made in various shapes, and house shapes, representing beautiful scenery and places of learning, were also chosen as motifs.
This water dropper is modeled after a temple or pagoda, with details such as the building's pillars carved in relief.
The roof is carved with roof tiles, and a curved ridge is attached.
At the top is a lotus bud, a treasure crown symbolizing "infinite possibilities before blooming."
One side of the eaves is decorated with a bird in flight, another auspicious motif representing prosperity and happiness.
There is one hole at the top and one at the tip of the roof for filling with water; the water is poured in by submerging the main body in water.
The clay is mixed using a technique that originated in the Tang Dynasty in China and continued to be used in the Goryeo Dynasty in Korea.
In Korea, three types of clay—celadon, white clay, and red clay—are used, and the pottery is fired with a nearly transparent celadon glaze.
The three colors of clay—white, gray, and black—are clearly separated, creating a beautiful, marble-like pattern.
Three stone marks remain on the bottom, indicating that the piece was placed there to prevent it from sticking to the kiln during firing.
Because marbled pottery is made by mixing different types of clay, it is prone to breakage during firing due to differences in shrinkage rates, and was mainly produced in small sizes.
It often breaks over time, and surviving examples are extremely rare.

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