A 4.5cm frog for the writing desk: a water dropper for ink

A 4.5cm porcelain piece

Made of white porcelain in the Joseon period, the dropper is 4.5cm high and 3.5cm in diameter. Its collection number is Sujeong 356. The desk accessory, smaller than a palm, carries an animal’s expression.

Two openings control the flow

A water dropper does more than store water. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture explains that two openings regulate the air flow so the user can release as much water as needed, whether for grinding ink or mixing paint.

Red spots

Small reddish spots dot the white body. The Korean term donghwa refers here to decoration in copper-red pigment.

Viewed from above, the folded hind legs stand out; from the front, the mouth and eyes read as a face.

Many shapes

Joseon water droppers came in round and angular forms as well as shapes modelled on animals, plants and houses. In the group photograph, droppers with different outlines surround the white frog. Each was both a practical tool and a small sculpture on the writing desk.