Bowl with Cloud Design in Relief Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)

Bowl with Cloud Design in Relief

청자 양각 구름무늬 사발 (靑磁陽刻雲文碗)

1100s

Korea, Goryeo dynasty

(918–1392)

glazed porcelain

Overall: 6.2 cm (2 7/16 in.)

Educational Purchase Fund 1924.137

Location: not on view

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Did You Know?

Kangjin and Buan kilns in Jeolla province were the two major production centers for celadon wares during the Goryeo period (918-1392).

Description

As early as the seventh century, the practice of drinking tea and wine became an important part of elite leisure culture in Korea. A wide bowl like this example was especially suitable for drinking powdered tea shaved from a compressed tea cake, the most commonly enjoyed type during the Goryeo period. The pale bluish green glaze indicates that this tea bowl was created in the 12th century, the time when the production of celadon reached its technical peak.