Details

Object type

bowl

Place Associated

Korea (place of manufacture)

Date

Goryeo Dynasty, 918-1392

Materials

porcelain

Dimensions

overall: 64 mm x 181 mm x 181 mm 369 g

Description

This Korean celadon with bright red lead glaze stands out due to its rarity in design and high quality. The beautiful, refined grey-green glaze termed ‘celadon’ derives from the colour of the robe worn by Celadon, hero of L’Astree, a French dramatist of the 17th century.

The beauty and mystery of celadons was introduced to Korea 1200 years ago from Chinese craftsmen. The Korean use of Chinese pottery techniques was adapted and a unique Korean style of celadon was produced. At that time, the Koryo dynasty that ruled Korea from 918 to 1392 was strongly Buddhist, the entire city would have been filled with Buddhist temples and with them grew a need for fine vessels to be used during the many ritual ceremonies. In the beginning, Koryo craftsmen tried to imitate the green colour of Chinese ceramics but with time, they made improvements in glaze-making and firing techniques and created the bluish or grey-green colour, which is often described as kingfisher green. Shapes and ornamental schemes that were initially straightforward and subdued with time became increasingly elaborate. By the 12th century, under glazed decoration was prevalent. This celadon bowl from the Koryo dynasty is a fine example of the level of fine quality and beauty the Koreans were able to achieve, their work surpassed that of other countries and came to be revered by the Chinese for its elegant, yet simple beauty.

This bowl was made by pressing white and red slip (clay mixed with water) into pre-carved outlines on the vessel before the application of glaze and firing. In the heat of the kiln, the iron rich red slip oxidised and blackened. Nowadays, the best Korean Celadon is produced in a few small villages where techniques have continued to be handed down through generations.

Credit Line/Donor

Gifted by Sir William and Lady Burrell to the City of Glasgow, 1944

Collection

Burrell Collection: Chinese Pottery [Stoneware, Porcelain]

ID Number

38.302

Location

Burrell Collection