| Description |
Ceramic bowl in the celadon (cheongja) tradition; Small, shallow, hexagon-shaped bowl with raised, narrow base; Exterior is decorated with cranes that have not been encircled, a motif that traditionally represents male animals; Interior of bowl is also decorated with male cranes, flying over tall stalks of rice and grass blowing in the wind; Cranes and rice stalk designs exhibit the traditional inlaying technique in white slip, while the feet and beaks of the cranes and grass are expressed in fine black; Color of rim is more faded than interior and exterior; No identifying markings. The celadon tradition was begun in China and perfected in Korea during the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392 CE); Typified by their pale green or blue-green luster reminiscent of jade and a super smooth glaze, celadon pieces were traditionally decorated with a variety of techniques, including carvings, incising, impressing and an intricate inlay technique unique to Korea known as sanggam, where designs are carved on the surface and colored clay inlaid before applying the slip; The layers are then carved away to reveal the varying colors. |
