Skip to main content

White Porcelain Oil Lamp with Stopper

Korean

Artwork Details

White Porcelain Oil Lamp with Stopper
early 20th century
Korean
porcelain
2 3/8 x 3 3/16 x 3 3/16 in. (6 x 8 x 8 cm)
Gift and partial purchase from Bruce and Inta Hasenkamp, purchase with funds from Elder and Mrs Sang-Yong Nam
2021/1.155

Description

Subject Matter:

Designed so that oil was first poured into the body, after which a wick was drawn out through the small hole in the top of the lid to be lit. Oil lamps like these were widely used in private homes in Korea from the Japanese colonial period until the 1950s.

Physical Description:

Made of white clay with high-kaolin content. Glaze has been removed from the flat base. A handle is attached to one side.

This oil lamp is made from high-quality white clay with a highkaolin content. The glaze has been removed from its flat base, which was placed on a kiln shelf during firing. The lamp was designed so that oil is first poured into the body, after which a wick is drawn out through the small hole at the top of the lid to be lit. A handle was attached to one side of the body. Oil lamps of this kind were widely used in private homes in Korea since the Japanese colonial period until the 1950s.
[Korean Collection, University of Michigan Museum of Art (2014) p.209]

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.