Goryeo Celadon Water Dropper in the form of a Frog

This is a celadon water dropper fired during the late Goryeo period.
A water dropper is a vessel used to hold the small amount of water needed for grinding ink in calligraphy.
These implements saw significant development on the Korean Peninsula, where scholars and literati commissioned a wide variety of shapes, each imbued with symbolic meaning.
This particular piece is modeled after a frog an auspicious motif symbolizing, among other things, the prosperity of one's descendants.
It features a smooth texture reminiscent of a tree frog, with finely crafted details such as its legs, hindquarters, and webbed feet.
In a touch of luxury, the eyes are colored red using a rare copper-based pigment.
A small hole at the tip of the mouth serves as the spout.
Water can be filled by submerging the piece and allowing the liquid to enter through the hole on its back.
The base shows patches of exposed, unglazed clay (turning brown), along with three large spur marks—scars left by the supports used to prevent the piece from sticking to the kiln floor during firing.
There were originally four such marks, but one broke off when the piece was removed from the kiln.
The entire piece is coated in a lustrous glaze characteristic of Goryeo celadon; the contours create subtle shading, and the surface displays fine crackle-glaze patterns.
Free from ostentatious decoration, the piece is meticulously crafted and exudes an air of refined elegance.

There are traces on the tip of the rear right leg suggesting a repaired chip that has been glued back on; however, the repair is neat and inconspicuous.
What appear to be cracks around the mouth are actually kiln flaws that have been sealed by the glaze.
It has good luster throughout and is in good condition.