Magazine: Winter 2012

[This is an] outstanding example of Goryeo celadon, widely regarded as the artistic and technological peak of Korean ceramics for its imaginative diversity of forms, sophisticated decoration, and sublime glaze. Based on recent excavations of kiln sites in southwest Korea, celadon‚—a Western term for stoneware featuring greenish blue to grayish blue-green glaze‚—was first developed in Korea in the late ninth or tenth century. Early Goryeo celadon was likely inspired by glazed ceramics imported from China during the Tang (618—906) and Song dynasties (960— 1279). Although production methods are similar to Unified Silla (668—935) ash-glazed stoneware, Goryeo ceramics exhibit greater technical and artistic refinement. The glaze consists of a complex mixture of materials, such as iron, potash, and silica. Works like the Museum's ewer were fired in a kiln at a high temperature, where the oxygen level was reduced to produce the jade- like hues that were highly sought after for their unsurpassed beauty. The luminous glaze of Goryeo celadon was even revered by Southern Song (1127—1279) literati as "first under heaven." This ewer is stylistically datable to the mid-to-late twelfth century, corresponding to the height of Goryeo celadon production (twelfth to early thirteenth century). The glaze has a translucent bluish-green hue that reflects the trend away from earlier, more opalescent glazes. The vessel's body was first shaped on a potter's wheel; ten lobes were then molded on to create the silhouette of a bulbous melon with a curved spout and handle. The lobes are incised and carved with the popular stylized design of a leafy spray of lotus blossoms. Around the rim of the vessel is a band of lotus petal panel designs, while encircling the base is a series of petal motifs. The thin handle, which has been reattached, imitates a bamboo strip and includes a sprout-like ring used for securing the lid to the ewer by a cord. Spur marks appear at the bottom. Although the lid and part of the spout have been replaced, the body and strikingly rich glaze are original and in excellent condition. This type of vessel was likely used for serving wine and probably was once accompanied by a matching basin that is now lost.