Jar with tiger and magpie design, Joseon dynasty, Second half of the 18th century. Gwangju official kiln, blue-and-white porcelain. Height44.1 cm; Maximum Diameter 34.2 cm; Weight 8,240g. © The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka (gift of SUMITOMO Group, the ATAKA Collection), photo Tomohiro Muda

After the official kiln settled in its final location, Bunwon-ri (1752-1883) in Gyeonggi-do, pictorial motifs in the style of hanging scrolls, which leaves ample white space like this example, was favored. This jar has a tall upright mouth and the shoulder is encircled with a band of ruyi patterns distinctive of Bunwon-ri style. A border line runs around the lower part of the body, with rugged mountain range in the distance and a cat-like tiger strolling on the rocks in the foreground. On the opposite side, another crouching tiger looks up at a magpie perched on a bare tree. Tigers were actually inhabiting in the Korean Peninsula and they were worshipped as a sacred animal. The people probably believed that a drawing of a tiger with a magpie, which was thought to deliver good news, would further enhance good omen.