Large Jar

1573-1619

Decoration on blue-and-white porcelain often shared the same subjects as either paintings for elite consumers or illustrations of stories in woodblock prints and books for more popular taste. The scholar portrayed on this jar seated at his desk might be Zhuge Liang (181–284), courtesy name Kongming, a popular subject from his role in the famous novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Zhuge was a notable military strategist and historical figure. This story, with its emphasis on Neo-Confucian values, also became important in Choson dynasty Korea.