Kyunghee Shin's White Porcelain Incense Holder with Peony Decoration

This white porcelain incense burner by contemporary Korean ceramist Kyunghee Shin is part of a tradition where beautiful objects accompany a gesture, a chosen moment, an attention paid to things. The purity of the material, combined with a superb sculpted peony decoration, gives this piece a presence of rare elegance. Used daily or as an object of contemplation, this incense burner invites you to slow down and enjoy a moment in which gesture and object naturally find their place.

The artist

Kyunghee Shin is a contemporary Korean ceramist who works with white porcelain from her studio in Suwon. Her work is characterized by a very fine attention to material and gesture, with pieces slowly shaped, in which form and decoration emerge together. She draws her inspiration from the observation of nature and flowers, notably the lotus, the Korean peony, and the cosmos, which she brings to life directly in the still-pliable porcelain through delicate and meticulous sculptural work.

Her objects are designed to be held, with a focus on softness, organic forms, and an enveloping presence. This approach echoes the heritage of baekja, Korean white porcelain, through attention to surface, light, and a great restraint in decoration. Kyunghee develops a personal language, rooted in daily use and a direct relationship between the object, the hand, and the space in which it is placed. Her work has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, particularly in Korea and Japan. To discover more about Kyunghee's work, you can read our dedicated article.

Technique and decoration

This incense burner is made of porcelain, hand-shaped and then fired at a very high temperature (around 1265 degrees), following a demanding process that requires great mastery of the material. The piece consists of two distinct elements, a body and a lid, all in roundness and softness, which give it a calm and balanced presence. The body rests on a small heel that ensures perfect stability.

The lid extends this construction. The peony is sculpted directly into the still-pliable porcelain during the shaping process. Each petal is hand-modeled with a precise gesture that allows no re-working and fully engages the volume. The flower is thus integrated into the form, naturally accompanying its curves. The peony, deeply rooted in Korean culture, holds an important place in Kyunghee's work.

The porcelain reveals a very pure, fine whiteness, enlivened by a slight crackle that catches the light and highlights the depth of the surface. The whole is in line with the sensibility of baekja, Korean white porcelain, where technical mastery and restraint in decoration give birth to pieces of great elegance.

Usage

This incense burner is designed to hold ash, which is carefully smoothed to obtain an even surface. This gesture prepares the object and sets a rhythm, a special attention to the moment.

Incense can then be used in two ways. A stick can be planted vertically in the ash or placed flat directly on the surface (for short sticks). During burning, the lid can be left open, or closed when the incense is laid flat on the ash.

Burning gradually leaves a mark on the porcelain. It develops a patina, slightly changing its shade. This transformation is part of the object's use and is in line with a wabi-sabi spirit, where time and use contribute to the beauty of the piece. To maintain an intact whiteness, the lid can be left open during burning.

Once the incense has burned out, the residues naturally mix with the ash. This can be smoothed again, continuing the gesture. The incense burner can also be used as a simple incense holder or as a decorative box.

Presentation

This incense burner is presented in a beautiful Japanese paulownia wood box. It comes with a sachet of ash (origin: Japan), as well as a box of traditional Japanese incense with 145 short sticks (9cm long), each burning for about 15 minutes. This subtle incense, whose main note is sandalwood, calming and soothing, evokes the atmosphere and tranquility of Kyoto's temples. It was created by Kyukyodo, a venerable stationery and incense house established in Kyoto in 1663. These elements elegantly accompany Kyunghee's incense holder, forming a whole designed to gently integrate into daily life.

Practical information

Place of manufacture:

Suwon (South Korea)

Dimensions:

Diameter 9.8cm - Height 5.5cm

Weight:

Incense burner alone: 191gr

Materials:

Incense burner: Porcelain; box: Paulownia wood

Care instructions:

It is possible to use the incense burner with the lid closed when the incense is placed flat on the ash. The burning will then gradually patina the porcelain. This transformation is natural, but to maintain an intact whiteness, it is therefore necessary to leave the lid open, away from the smoke during the burning of the incense.

Incense being burned should always be placed on a support and monitored; do not leave children unsupervised nearby. To light a stick, bring a flame to the end and wait for the incense to ignite, then gently blow to extinguish the flame. Make sure to position the stick upright on the incense holder so that the ashes fall into the container. Extinguish the incense if you need to leave. Keep out of reach of children.

Discover the Kyunghee Shin collection