Celadon Decorative Plate: Relief-Applied Tiger and Magpie Motif

”Where mischief meets tradition, and stillness is only surface-deep.“

This handcrafted Korean celadon decorative plate—meticulously created by master artisan Kwon Oh-Hak of Icheon—features a captivating relief-applied scene of a tiger, magpie, and pine tree, rendered in exquisite harmony. At 32 cm in diameter, its commanding presence graces any room with quiet authority and playful tension.

Beneath the distinctive crackled celadon glaze—cool and serene like early morning mist—unfolds a scene both folkloric and symbolic. A white tiger, expression torn between charm and defiance, sits crouched beneath a pine tree. Above him, a solitary magpie tilts its head, as though engaged in a silent dialogue. The visual balance between the grounded bulk of the tiger and the perch of the bird creates a moment of theatrical stillness—reminiscent of traditional folk paintings, where animals often stood in for human satire and yearning.

Unlike typical relief carving, this method—known in Korean as 덧붙임—involves sculpting with a separate clay body directly onto the vessel’s surface by hand. The base is formed from celadon clay, while the tiger is modelled using a specially formulated additive clay. These clays differ in moisture and shrinkage, requiring precise timing and technique to prevent detachment during drying and firing. The kiln process itself takes up to 1.5 times longer than standard celadon, allowing the glaze to mature and the applied sculpture to stabilise. “Every time I hear nothing,” the artisan notes, “is a small miracle.”

The plate’s composition balances strength with humour. In Korean tradition, the magpie is a herald of joy; the tiger, both guardian and clown, holds paradoxical roles in the collective psyche. Together, they form an iconic pairing—less confrontation, more conversation. The brushwork of the pine, the fine articulation of the fur, and the curve of the magpie’s neck all draw the eye gently, inviting interpretation without imposition.

Whether mounted on a wall or resting on a low wooden stand, this piece is not merely decorative—it is sculpted narrative. A vessel of stillness. A whisper of folklore. A quiet, enduring presence.

Dimensions

• Height- 5 cm (1.97 inch)
• Diameter- 32 cm (12.6 inch)