Small dish
first half 12th century
Korean jade-colored celadon wares emerged around the tenth century, renowned for their distinctive deep bluish green color-so-called "jade-colored" or "kingfisher-colored". An account from a Chinese text of the twelfth century relates that the famous kingfisher-colored celadon was more prized than gilded or silver wares were at the time. In this peak period, work was produced featuring this exquisite celadon color on an undecorated body, the aesthetic of which relies simply upon tautness of form and beauty of glaze. Later celadon wares enjoyed a variety of styles and decorative schemes, as represented by the pair of dishes with molded designs displayed here-note how the patterns obtain a three-dimensional effect in a rich pool of celadon glaze. The perfect beauty of celadon vessels was exclusively reserved for the court and nobility, until the decline of celadon in the fifteenth century.
Stoneware with molded decoration and celadon glaze
1 in. (2.54 cm)
Diam.: 4 7/16 in.
Gift of Mrs. Thomas D. Stimson
60.52.2
Photo: National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea
