 |
|
|
| Foliate Bowl-and-Saucer Sets |
|
|
| Korea, South Cholla Province; Koryo period (918-1392), early 12th century |
|
| Stoneware with glaze |
|
| Bowls, H. 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm), Diam. 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm); saucers, H. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm), Diam. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm) |
|
| Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of Asian Art |
|
| 1979.193.1-4 |
|
|
| This type of bowl-and-saucer sets are rather unusual among green-glazed stoneware, more commonly identified as celadon, produced during the Koryo dynasty. These two may have been made as part of a larger set and used as containers for delicacies during a dinner or banquet at the royal court. The graceful and crisply articulated floral shape and the beautiful color of the glaze indicate that these pieces were luxury goods for the court. The subtle crackles sprinkled throughout the body of the bowls add to their allure and are not considered a flaw. The "kingfisher color" of Koryo celadon was highly praised by contemporary Song Chinese, whose own diverse traditions of celadon production initially inspired the Korean creations. |
|
|
|
|
|
