Pair of Lobed Bowls

The first half of 12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
Left: H. 9.2 cm; Diam. 14.2 cm
Right: H. 9.5 cm; Diam. 14.2 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 22717

The pair of bowls in the shape of a ten-lobed lotus flower are important works among Goryeo’s “kingfisher celadon” wares, having thin, elaborate bodies covered with beautiful, translucent glazes. Influence from Northern Song China’s Ru ware can be inferred from various elements including the bisque firing before glazing, the glaze covering the whole base, the small quartz spur marks and also the overall form itself.

Flower-shaped Warming Bowl, Ru ware

The first half of 12th century, Northern Song dynasty (960-1126), China
H. 10.4 cm; Mouth diam 16.2 cm; Base diam 8 cm; Depth 10.4 cm
Collection of the National Palace Museum

This is a ten-lobed bowl with a curved wall. The shape was made with a mold. It is thinly made and fully covered with glaze of a green color with a tinge of blue, certain parts showing a pastel color. Both the interior and exterior show natural brown cracks. Warming bowls and ewers were commonly used as a wine set in Song China. Such flower-shaped bowls have also been found in Korea's Goryeo celadon wares. The excavation of Southern Song China’s silver ware indicates that porcelain ewers and flowershaped bowls have been inspired by gold and silver ware.

Mallet-shaped Vase

The first half of 12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 21.8 cm; Diam 11.9 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20273

The name is said to have derived from the tool kinuta (mallet) used to beat the silk cloth to make it soft. The origin of the shape can be traced back to the Song dynasty China, although a certain degree of transition to a uniquely Goryeo style is visible. The seemingly compressed form which is emphasized by the flattened mouth and angular shoulder yet renders somewhat gentle elegance. The tiny spur marks on the base reveal the influence of Song China’s ceramics.

Mallet-shaped Vase, Ru ware

The first half of 12th century, Northern Song dynasty (960-1126), China
H. 20.4 cm; Mouth diam. 4.0 cm; Base diam. 8.7 cm; W. 13.0 cm
Collection of the National Palace Museum

This vessel has a long neck, steep shoulder, globular belly and flat base with no foot. It is thinly made and fully covered with glaze. The glaze is bluish green in color with a grayish yellow hue; certain parts show a pastel color. Carved on the base is an unglazed square with Qianlong Emperor’s poetry (1776) inscribed inside it. The design of an unglazed mouth with traces of grinding suggests the possible design of a dish-shaped mouth. The shape probably has been inspired by Islamic glass ware produced between the 10th and 11th centuries. The making of Goryeo celadon wares that have a dish-shaped mouth and a long neck suggests influence from China’s Ru ware.

Bamboo Sprout-shaped Ewer

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 22.5 cm; L. 21.1 cm; W. 14.8 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20401

Many Goryeo celadon ewers are modeled on animals and plants, which makes the charming wares special compared to Song China’s ewers that imitated metal ware. This piece is in the form of a bamboo shoot, which symbolizes prosperity of descendants because of its fast growth. The bamboo sheath is depicted in detail, the veins elaborately incised, a decoration not seen in Chinese wares. Four layers of sheath is extremely rare, The clear “kingfisher color” (bisaek) or grayish green glaze makes the form and patterns stand out to look even more beautiful. It is one of the most splendid example among the similar wares.

Three-handled Jar with Incised Lotus Design

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 18.9 cm; Diam. 14.6 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20205

The knob of the lid and the handles elaborately copy the decoration on metal ware. They were probably corded to secure the lid. While it is a rather small piece, it represents the typical ware produced in the 12th century, the peak period of Goryeo celadon, in terms of the form, glaze and decoration. The delicately incised pattern on the body is so faintly applied that one can barely see it when viewing from just a little distance. The lid and body were fired separately. The lid is fully covered with glaze, bearing four quartz spur marks on the underside, while the foot rim of the jar shows four fireclay spur marks.

Long-necked bottle with Carved Peony and Lotus Design

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 36.8 cm; Diam. 15.0 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20845

In Japan, such octagonal ware with a slim, long neck has been likened to a crane’s neck. Since there is a loop handle attached to the edge of the neck, it probably had a lid. While the prototype is thought to be in the Chinese Yue ware of the Tang dynasty, the thinner and longer neck, slimmer body and sloping shoulder demonstrate the transformation into an unique, elegant Goryeo style. The octagonally beveled body bears alternating decoration of lotus scrolls and peony scrolls. The glaze of beautiful kingfisher color indicates the production during the peak period.

Meiping Vase with Incised Lotus Design

13th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 30.5 cm; Diam. 17.1 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20466

This piece has a dish-shaped mouth and a wide, swollen shoulder tapering towards a slightly flaring bottom, forming a beautiful S-shaped curve. It is fully covered with grayish green glaze. There are natural cracks on the translucent, alluring glaze. The body is incised with lotus flowers and leaves, which are slight different from the real plants in form. The balanced layout of the decoration and the shape design all reflect elements of a masterpiece. The base reveals spur marks.

Square Incense Burner with Impressed Mythical Creature Design

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 11.9 cm; L. 17.6 cm; W. 16.2 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20176

This piece imitates the form of one of the ancient Chinese bronze vessels ding. The surface bears an impressed key fret decoration also found on bronze vessels. While the color of the glaze is outstanding and the patterns of the decoration and overall form are finely executed, the height of the four legs are uneven and warped.

Bowl with Impressed Peony Design

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 5.0 cm; Diam. 14.4 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20351

This conical bowl has a wide mouth tapering to a short ring foot. The base save the foot rim is glazed and reveals four spur marks. Different from the plain exterior, the interior of the bowl is stamped with peonies, flower petals and leaves incised in detail. The piece is covered with grayish green glaze, which bears some iron spots. The interior decoration combines stamping and incision, demonstrating the delicate and uncompromising Goryeo craftsmanship.

Meiping Vase with Inlaid Bamboo and Cranes Design

12-13th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 29.2 cm; Diam. 17.6 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20206

The beautiful S-shaped body line that stretches out at the shoulder and tapers down towards the body is one of the stylistic features of Goryeo meiping vase. The cloud-collar decoration enclosing lychee branches decorate four parts of the shoulder and the lower section of the body bears bands of lotus petals and key frets. Cranes and bamboo trees are depicted on the four sides of the center of the body. The pictorial composition of this decoration effectively delivers a poetic atmosphere. The inlaid patterns that decorate this bottle were created by etching the motifs into the body, filling in the carved space with red and white slip, which turned black and white after firing. The handsome decorative motifs and the deep, grayish green color of the glaze make this piece a Goryeo celadon masterpiece.

Kundika Bottle with Inlaid Peony and Butterfly Design

13th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 33.1 cm; L. 16.3 cm; W. 13.4 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20029B

Kundika is a Buddhist ritual vessel that mimic the design of metalwork in shape. Such bottles were used for water storage during the Goryeo period. The body is inlaid with peony and butterfly design. Also detailed decorated are the neck, lower part of the body and the spout. The translucent glaze and the beautiful decorative patterns make the piece all the more stunning. The foot rim is unglazed and the base reveals nine spur marks.

Bowl with Inlaid Clouds and Cranes Design

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 6.0 cm; Diam. 17.0 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 21369

This bowl has a slightly everted lip and the design, alternate motifs of three cranes and lingzhi-shaped clouds, has been applied only to the interior. The decoration is mainly executed in white inlay while a few details such as the beaks, necks and legs of the cranes are applied in black inlay. The deep grayish green glaze, beautifully harmonizing with the inlay decoration and showing no cracks, demonstrates flawlessness and uncompromising perfectionism. This bowl is an example of the culmination of refinement in the art of inlay technique. The foot rim is unglazed and the base reveals five fireclay spur marks.

Meiping Vase with Reverse-Inlaid Peony Design

12-13th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 32.6 cm; Diam. 19.0 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 21491

This piece has a rather wide shoulder and a beautiful S-shaped body line that tapers towards the lower part of the body. The most appealing feature of this piece is the reverse-inlaid decoration, in which the background of the decoration has been carved away into which white slip was filled. It effectively represents the dynamic movement of the lotus flowers. The details of the flowers were incised. The mouth was made separately and jointed later.

Jar with Inlaid and Underglaze Copper Red Spotted Peony Design

13th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 19.5 cm; Diam. 18.0 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20895

The body is inlaid with alternative motifs of peonies and chrysanthemums. The peony flowers are painted with copper oxide, which turned bright red when fired. The shoulder is decorated with clouds and the bottom with lotus petals. The copper-red paint, which consists of mainly copper oxide, probably appeared as early as the 12th century and became popular in the 13th century.

Ewer with Underglaze Trailed White Slip Floral Design

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 18.2 cm; L. 22.8 cm; W. 15.7 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20143

This ewer has a full round body and a vigorously stretched handle and spout. The origin of such ewers is unknown – there are few examples in China and in the Goryeo period Korea. The production was concentrated in the 12th century. On two opposite sides of the body white slip has been applied in a circle, which is incised to make a design of charming floral plants.

Meiping Vase with Underglaze Iron-painted Baoxianghua Scroll Design

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 28.2 cm; Diam. 17.8 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20862

The baoxianghua decoration has been carefully and finely drawn in dark brown iron paint, which is quite exceptional for iron-painted celadon. Some believe that the decoration at the lower section of the vase indicates China’s Cizhou ware as its prototype. Examples of iron-painted celadon were discovered in the early kilns of the late 10th century although extensive production began in the 12th century.

Bowls with Underglaze Iron-painted Plant Design

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 7.8 cm; Diam. 18.5 cm
H. 6.7 cm; Diam. 17.9 cm
H. 5.2 cm; Diam. 16.2 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20491

The shape design was purportedly inspired by metal ware. The exterior wall is depicted with plants in iron paint. The vessel is covered with translucent grayish-green glaze. The year of production has been inscribed on the surface. These bowls were used as table ware for monks, usually in a set of three or four, serving rice, soup, vegetables, etc. They have a countersunk base and a base that reveals white fire-clay spur marks.

Black Glazed Bottle

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 35.0 cm; Diam. 15.6 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20911

This vessel has a long, slender neck. The surface was covered with celadon glaze before iron glaze was thickly applied to it. The finished work appears to be brown and black. The combination of celadon glaze and iron glaze on the same piece is very rare. The glazed base reveals five quartz spur marks.

Meiping Vase with Underglaze Iron-coated and Inlaid Floral Design

12th century, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), Korea
H. 26.0 cm; Diam. 16.0 cm
Collection of the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Acc. No. 20259

This piece has a clay body coated with iron paint before being glazed and then fired. The small mouth, wide shoulder and the overall design exudes a sturdy and alluring charm. The sides of the shoulder are inlaid with ginseng leaves. The dark iron background and the white decorative patterns create a strong contrast.