Nail engraving refers to line engravings that look as if they were carved with nails.
However, the “Pottery Review” says, “Nugibori” is a recent name for this type of engraving. Nail engraving is most common on Koryo teacups, and seems to have been limited to Joseon wares in the past, notwithstanding later imitations.
It is thought that the first carving was not done with nails, but with pebbles in the clay, which were carved into grooves on the walls of the bowls by hitting the potter’s wheel. Later, people probably came to admire the scenery and carved the grooves with nails on purpose.
Nail carving Irabo
An Irabo, one of the so-called Koryo tea bowls, with whorl-shaped striations carved with nails or spatulas in the base. The glaze color is similar to that of Ko-Iraho. (Koryo Tea Bowls and Seto Tea Containers)
